Georgia will bid farewell to one of its greatest coaching legends on Tuesday, July 8, when family and friends gather to honor the life of T. McFerrin.
McFerrin passed away on July 1 at the age of 83 after a long illness. The funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m. at Lighthouse World Outreach Center in Monroe, with a reception to follow at Monroe First Methodist Church.
Known simply as “Coach T,” he built a legacy across Georgia high school football that spanned four decades.
In 38 years coaching in Georgia and four more in Tennessee, McFerrin racked up 341 wins, two state championships, and seven region titles. He led four different schools to state title games, setting a state record. His championship seasons came in 1995 with Elbert County and in 2012 with Jefferson, where he ended his career on top.
Born in 1942 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, McFerrin played college ball at Millsaps and Middle Tennessee State before earning his teaching degree. He launched his coaching career in 1965 as an assistant at Druid Hills High School, taking his first head job three years later at Lithonia.
His Georgia coaching record stands at 341‑101‑4, and he even coached Tucker High School’s boys tennis team to three consecutive state titles from 1988 to 1990.
But McFerrin’s influence went far beyond the scoreboard.
He was known for his humility, kindness, and unwavering faith. His son Tom said McFerrin treated everyone—coaches, players, trainers, or custodians—with the same respect and love. His other son, Rob, described him as a man who lived out his Christian values, involved deeply in church and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
His wife Jane remembered him as “a caring, compassionate, and competitive gentleman” and a devoted family man.
McFerrin retired after delivering Jefferson High School its first-ever state championship in 2012. He was inducted into the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2014 and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.
Governor Brian Kemp called him “a legend” whose impact will live on through generations of athletes who became better men under his leadership.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Monroe First Methodist Church, the Christian Learning Center, or the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
