Thomas McFerrin

MCFERRIN IV, Thomas

Known to the world of high school football as "Coach T," Thomas Sumner McFerrin IV, whose 34 years as a head coach in Georgia crafted a 317-84-4 record (the ninth-winningest record in Georgia history), finally succumbed to dementia after dealing with the impervious disease that he fought for over four years, on July 1, 2025.

Born on February 6, 1942 and raised in Murfreesboro, TN, he died at age 83 in Monroe, GA, leaving an iconic legacy as a Georgia High School football coach, but much more than that to those who had the honor to cross paths with him.

His parents were Florence Cox McFerrin and Thomas Sumner McFerrin III. His brothers, Sam and Jim McFerrin, are both still living in TN.

Coach T is survived by his wife, Jane Johnston McFerrin; son, Thomas "Tom" Sumner McFerrin V; son, Robert "Rob" Johnston McFerrin; daughter-in-law, Stephanie McFerrin; grandchildren Anna Parks Kindig (Drew Kindig) and Matthew Parks; and sister-in-law, Judy Johnston Adams.

Coach T's background included two years of college at Millsaps in Jackson, MS, which he attended on a football scholarship. He transferred to Middle Tennessee State University and graduated with a BS in history in 1964 and then earned a Master's degree in history (MA) from Florida State University in 1965.

He began his teaching and coaching career at Druid Hills High School (DeKalb County) in 1965. His first head coaching position came in 1968 at Lithonia High School in DeKalb County, a place that had not known winning in years. His first year there the Bulldogs went 8-1-1. In 1969, his second season as a head coach, Lithonia played for the state championship, losing to Vidalia 7-6 on the field of the south Georgia program.

Under McFerrin's tutelage, he led seven schools to region titles, five to state semifinals, and four to championship games, with two state titles (Elbert County, 1995 and Jefferson, 2012), during his 34 years coaching in GA. Combined with the four years he coached in TN, McFerrin compiled a 341-101-4 record. He also won three State Championships in Tennis with Tucker High School in 1988, 89, and 90.

He was inducted into the Georgia Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame in 2014, two years after his third and final retirement and winning the state championship at Jefferson. Five years later (2019), Coach T was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

Aside from all of his professional accolades, Coach T's character is what will be his legacy. The trait that stood out most to his son, Tom was how he treated others: "Dad always treated everyone, whether it was managers, custodians, players, parents, administration, or media, with the same respect and love. It did not matter if you were a star player or fourth string, he treated everyone the same."

His faith was displayed in his everyday life. Rob recalls, "Dad came from a long line of preachers, but he decided to go into another form of ministry called teaching and coaching. He was not one to preach at you, but he lived out his Christian values through his actions and how he treated people. After retirement, he became very involved in Monroe First Methodist Church, FCA, and the CLC (Christian Learning Center), as well as serving on many committees and boards around the state."

The person who knew Coach McFerrin the longest and best was his wife, Jane. Mrs. McFerrin remembers, "The thing that attracted me originally to him was that he was a well-mannered and courteous gentleman, and he remained that way all his life. He was a caring, compassionate, and competitive person. Aside from his dedication to coaching and teaching, he was a dedicated family man."

Both sons recall, "As intimidating as he could be to some people, he always told us that he loved us and was proud of us (and that was not typical of a lot of men from that era). The more people got to know him, the more they experienced his sense of humor and his softer side."

When one considers that there have literally been thousands of men to coach high school football in GA, and only 69 of them have won 200 or more games in their careers, to put his legendary career on an even more special plateau, Rob provided some insight to the axiom 'People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.' - "When people, coaches, or players were around Coach T, they did not want to disappoint him or let him down, Dad had the innate ability to make people strive to do their best. And he was always able to get the best out of everyone."

Rob recalled some fatherly advice from when he was 13 years old and getting ready to mow his first neighborhood yard for his summer job: "'Take pride in all parts of the job, from pulling weeds around the light post to edging, because people are always watching and noticing what kind of job you do.' That has always stuck with me, and that is how Dad approached every task."

Those who coached with him or played for him will certainly not be surprised that Coach T died as he coached and approached life - he "never, ever gave up," even when his family told him it was all right to let go and be with God. "He had been at Great Oaks Memory Care for a little over a year, and the caretakers there and the nurses with Abbey Hospice have been a godsend. He had been in really good shape physically up until three weeks ago, but then he began going downhill pretty quickly. His body just gave out. Dad hung on as long as he could."

McFerrin, a man diminutive in stature, left this world as a giant in his industry, one committed to making those around him feel better because he took the time to care and share his love and devotion to those he encountered along the way to becoming an icon that truly set him apart from his peers. Coach T influenced hundreds of lives to follow his actions and directions, and those that did so quite obviously became better persons for having crossed paths with a man whose morals, ethics and personal behavior were above reproach.

After making this world a better place by touching so many lives, T. McFerrin has now moved on to the ultimate "Hall of Fame" with the Greatest Coach of All Time, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

"Well done, good and faithful servant!"

The funeral will be held on Tuesday, July 8, 1:00 PM at the Lighthouse World Outreach Center, 609 Gene Bell Rd., Monroe, GA. A reception will follow at the Monroe First Methodist Church, 400 S. Broad St., Monroe.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Monroe First Methodist Church or to the Christian Learning Center or Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Meadows Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.