Over 200 people recently packed the Centre on Main to celebrate 50 years of Grayson County High School football.
In attendance at the gala event were scores of former players, including some who traveled from as far away as California and Texas, former and current coaches, supporters and the current edition of the Cougars, among many others.
Current Cougars head coach Bryan Jones was overwhelmed with the turnout for the event and the history represented in the room by not only the former players but also former head coaches Mick Caba, Bill Embry and Ed Smart.
“I’m just blown away, to be honest with you. Me having some of my guys from this year’s team here together, it gives me goosebumps, to be honest with you,” Jones told K105. “A lot of the previous head coaches were here … The history of Grayson County football that was in this room was unbelievable. Guys from across the country showed up to see their former coaches.”
The featured speaker and guest of honor at the event was none other than the first head coach of the football Cougars, Caba.
Caba, who went on to a celebrated college coaching career (along with stops at Hartford High School in Michigan and Magoffin County High School), was only 23-year-old when he was hired to lead the upstart Cougars.
The Trenton, Michigan, native oversaw the first four years of Cougar football (1973-1976), where the burgeoning program grew from a junior high school-only squad to varsity participant.
In an interview with K105’s Sam Gormley prior to the celebration, Caba express gratitude for being invited back to an event celebrating 50 years of football, as well as his tenure with the Cougars.
“I’ve just been thrilled about this happening and the fact that Roger (Lush) and the (Grayson County High School Football) association put this together. I’ve followed Grayson County football through the years; it’s where my heart is,” Caba said. “I followed most of the players that I could, and tried to stay in touch with them, but the fact that we’re actually going to be in a room together is very rewarding for me.”
While Caba rewarded Grayson County High School with a solid foundation on which to build its football program, in return, at the celebration Judge-Executive Kevin Henderson proclaimed August 24, 2023, “Mick Caba Day,” and Leitchfield Mayor Harold Miller presented Caba with a “Key to the City.”
In his career, which ended in 2021 as running backs coach at Georgetown College, Caba coached 20 players who earned All-America honors and eight players who signed NFL contracts.
But his coaching career may not have lifted off the launch pad if not for the strong woman behind the would-be head coach, as the genesis of Caba’s pigskin coaching career originated after a suggestion … or, was it a demand from his wife, Linda.
As Caba recalls, he was uncertain about signing on to coach the Cougars. He was unsure if he was capable of being a head coach at such a young age, among other worries. But when he relayed his fears to Linda, she told him in no uncertain terms, “Sign the contract!” Which, of course, he did, opening the door to a memorable four years in Grayson County followed by an outstanding, nearly five decade coaching career.
Linda, for her part, was bestowed a bouquet of flowers at the event. The first time, she said, that she’s ever been recognized as a participant in Caba’s coaching career.
The dozens of players who traveled to the event, from either far away or nearby, to honor their coaches and the Grayson County High School football program, touched current coach Jones and reiterated in his mind the impact football coaches can have on the lives of young people.
“It’s funny, because somebody said something to me about the impact a football coach can have on a young person. And to see some of these old guys come back to see Coach Caba is a testament to the impact that you can have,” Jones said. “And that’s something I don’t take lightly myself, because I really truly think that you can have a huge impact on a young man’s life and their development … the track that their future is on.”
The event was organized by the Grayson County High School Football Alumni Association.
(Headline photo l-r: Mick Caba, Bill Embry, Ed Smart, Bryan Jones)
introducing the former coach to the crowd
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
