Hail to the boss: Buddy James remembers Big Reds Football at the Smoot Theater meeting | News, sports, jobs

The former Parkersburg football coach Buddy James speaks about his career on Sunday in the Smoot Theater for “once a big red, always a big red”, the third lecture in the Smoot Theater Winter Lecture Series for 2025. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

Parkersburg-a long-time football coach of the Parkersburg High School spoke over the years about changes in football, but also about the young men he taught on Sunday.

The former football coach of the Parkersburg High School, Buddy James “Once a big red, always a big red”, “ The third lecture in the Smoot Theater Winter Lecture Series for 2025.

“In the past, I told my players that they are a big red forever as soon as they put this uniform on them.” Said James. “I'm so proud of her.

“Our traditions are so fantastic.”

James played football and rank from 1953 to 1956 at PHS, then went to the state of Montana, where he wrote in football and wrestling and switched to Marshall University, where he also went to football and. He returned to Parkersburg and directed Wrestling in Jackson Junior High and was appointed deputy football coach at PHS in 1963. In 1968 he became head coach and trained until his retirement in 1990.

Around 50 people visited “once a big red, always a big red”, the third lecture in the Smoot Theater Winter Lecture Series for 2025, in which the former football coach of the Parkersburg High School, Buddy James, who was presented. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

“That made him the most profitable football coach of the High School in the state of West Virginia” said former phs player Barry Louden, who introduced James. “Buddy was the sixth of nine PHS soccer players who became the coach.

“He is the longest -reigning head coach at PHS with 178 victories.”

James gave his wife Nancy a lot of recognition because he was there during his coaching years.

“If you are a coach, your wife should be better on board”, “ he said. “She is a great woman and was on board with all of this.”

He spoke about a number of players with whom he worked and who were successful in their own lives, as well as some who had continued.

Nancy and Buddy James were the guests in the Smoot Theater for “once a big red, always a big red”, the third lecture in the Smoot Theater Winter Lecture Series for 2025. Buddy James, the spokesman presented, was the winning high school school coach in the state of West Virginia. Former PHS player Barry Louden introduced James. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

“I loved my children”, “ James said when his voice cracked slightly.

When he started coaching, he talked about giving his players regular water breaks who hadn't been until then.

“I played Junior High, High School and College and never drank some water.” he said. “It is astonishing that it didn't kill us.

“We have not managed in air conditioning or air -conditioned cars. We were used to heat. When I became the boss, I said I would always have them water if they want. “

The Parkersburg High School was the country's most profitable football program until 1989 and won more games than any other high school in America, said James and quoted a nationwide high school -football record book that was published this year.

He also spoke about computer -aided scouting, used computers that filled a large space and went to Ohio State University and spoke to football coach Woody Hayes, of which James said, Parkersburg to see how it was done.

James spoke of founding a weightlifting in the high school that was not carried out at that time. He had a shop instructor built, pipelines got and large doses from the cafeteria filled with cement. In the beginning he had no one who could press over 90 pounds. It took a few years for him to have a player who could increase £ 300.

“Then there were more and more of them”, “ Said James. “We had fewer injuries and more perseverance.

“Now everyone lifts.”

Over the years, the trainer also spoke about changes in equipment, especially about helmets that were used by leather to what was used today and how the rules had to change to prevent the helmets from being used with facial guards as a weapon that could violate someone by targeting. He said that improvements in equipment, shoulder pads and more protected to protect more players.

“The equipment got better and better” Said James. “The Parkersburg High School always had the best.

“Money was never a problem with PHS. Football earned money and football had to spend the money. We shared it with other sports. “

He spoke about the school that hired the big red banquet to honor the players their mothers to wash uniforms, warm up meals when the players came home and much more.

They had a rose on a plate at dinner.

“You went to your mother and put the rose on her.” James said he told his players. “I told them they should hug your mother and kiss her on the cheek and tell her that you love her.

“We honored the mothers. We tried to teach the lessons. “

James said the community always supported the football program.

“This is a great place to teach and train.” he said. “We have wonderful children here.”

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsatinel.com