AHSAA mourns death of Hall of Fame Coach John L. Meadows

MONTGOMERY – The Alabama High School Athletic Association is saddened to learn of the death of AHSAA Hall of Fame Coach John L. Meadows. Mr. Meadows, 94, passed away earlier this week after a long illness.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family,” AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese said. “John Meadows’ impact on the lives of the many students he taught and was considered an icon in the communities he served.”
Meadows compiled a 276-79-9 career coaching record over 35 years from 1955-89 and was inducted into the Alabama High School Sports  Hall of Fame in 1993. He coached football at Hanceville, Gordo, Butler, Scottsboro and Lincoln County (TN) during his long tenure as a teacher/coach compiling a career. Coach Meadows led Scottsboro to a 10-0 record in 1965, a team that was declared Class 3A state champs that year. His 1982 Lincoln County team was 13-1 and won the Tennessee AAA state title. The stadium at Lincoln County was named for him and his successor Louis Thompson. The fieldhouse at Scottsboro High School was also named for him and Coach Larry Morris.
In addition to the AHSAA HOF honor, he was also enshrined into the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame (1989 inaugural class), Morgan County Sports Hall of Fame (Class of 1993), Cullman County Sports Hall of Fame (Class of 2004), Jackson County Sports Hall of Fame (2014 inaugural class), Pickens County Athletic Hall of Fame (Class of 1995) and Jacksonville State Hall of Fame (Class of 1986).
Meadows graduated from Falkville High School in 1942 as the valedictorian, then served in World War II before returning home to enroll at Jacksonville State where he earned Little All-America honors as a wide receiver in 1951. He was selected to the JSU All-Time Team in 1983,
His funeral is set for Saturday at Calvary Baptist Church in Scottsboro. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. with the memorial service to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions be made to the Samaritans Purse or St. Jude’s.