Legendary high school football coach Eddy Peach dead at 76

The long-time head football coach at Arlington’s Lamar High School has died.

Eddy Peach was Lamar’s first head football coach when the school opened in 1970. He remained there until he retired in 2009.

Peach was the first 5A coach in Texas to win 300 games and 16 district titles at the state’s highest competitive level, and was inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame this year.

It’s no stretch to say he impacted thousands of lives. Former NFL player Mitch Willis is one of many of Coach Peach’s former players. He says Peach was more than a coach, believed in every student, gained their respect, expected the best from them and led by example as a man of faith.

"He taught us how to be respectful of each other. Respectful of the game. Respectful of our teachers, coaches and parents. Be respectful for life. Have a positive impact on life, not just on the football field but in life in general." Said Willis.

Willis recalled Peach showing up to his father’s funeral, about ten years after he finished playing high school football. That story was just of glimpse at the kind of person he was, beyond coaching football.

Peach’s cause of death is unknown at this time and funeral arrangements have not yet been made. He was 76-years-old.