"This isn't a football practice. It's an Ice Cream Social!"- Coach Larry French Stories

 

Mrs. Connie Christopher French, Christi, Steven & their wonderful family

John Combs got in the car with his Mom after MS football practice one day. He looked down at another team having a practice, and told his Mom, "That's not a practice. That's an ICE CREAM SOCIAL!" 

It didn't take long for Coach Larry French to influence young people and how they think/speak. John Combs had just spent a week with him being the manager for the East All Stars. JCB's number one job was to get Coach French his ice cream all week at lunch & dinner. And, it always went the same. Coach French would get his ice cream, look at it, look at JCB, and then say, "Is this all I get?" We wondered if John Combs was getting instructions from Mrs. Connie French all week.

Coach French was the DC for my Dad at Mercer between 1974 & 1977. They were across town from Harrodsburg High when Venus Meaux, Henry Parks, and Nick Yeast were players. One night, my Dad looks out on the field and says, 'Larry, we have 12 guys on defense." Coach French responded, "Coach, they have been out there the entire drive. We still can't stop them."

I was in the back seat for this one. We were opening up with Owen County, who was very good. The Cochran brothers were on the team, playing for their Dad, and were headed to the University of Kentucky on scholarship. We pull into a gas station in Owenton. My Dad is driving and Coach French is a passenger. Coach French rolls down the window & says, "We're with the Lexington Herald. When does Owen Co. scrimmage? We want to do a story on the Cochran brothers." I really don't remember what the guy said next, but I do remember the Cochran brothers were the difference and the Rebels won the opener. 

I loved Coach French. He was a groomsmen in our wedding. But, not every experience was fun. August of 1982, I am not playing well. He makes it very clear to me that I am not the starting quarterback. It made me mad, but he was right. He made me take my prep, focus & execution to another level. Our 2nd scrimmage was at Woodford County. We played much better. I played much better. That life lesson has helped me my entire life. If you don't like how things are, don't like the result or your circumstances, look at yourself in the mirror and invest in the endeavor until there is no doubt. 

In 1982, I was going to be the starting QB. In 79, 80 & 81, the Mercer QB was a lead blocker on our 28 Toss play. So, in practice, we run 28 Toss and try to get out in front to block. I get back to the huddle. Coach French tells me, "After you Toss the ball, you stand back here and cheer."

Another time in practice, it is a called pass play. No one is open. I tuck the ball and run the ball. I get back to the huddle. He says, "Did you feel the earth shaking under feet?" I say, "No sir." He says, "Then I don't want you to run the ball."

When I coached with him, one July night, we are going through the roster and assigning everyone a position on defense. I notice that everybody that is bad, he puts them at defensive end. Finally, I ask, "Is this how I ended up at Defensive End." He says yes. We were super thin in 1982. I was the defensive end to the offense's right, which is where most teams ran the ball. If I didn't know better, I would say every play Harrodsburg, Boyle, Lincoln & Estill(Winkler, Covey & Jones...very good) ran that season was off-tackle right at me. 

1982

I loved playing for Coach French. But, as soon as we would get the lead(which was rare), we were done throwing the ball. One night, we were  5 for 5 in the air, 198 yards and Alan Hendren caught 3 TD passes. We won18-13! I always wondered.... how many points could we have scored? But, I trusted my old coach. We did what he said. Now, we did have one tendency at Mercer County in 1982 that was 100%. If someone got hurt, the next play was going to be either 32 pass or Power 27 pass.  When Coach would walk the injured player off the field, I got us in the huddle, called the play, and we were at the LOS by the time he made it to the sideline. 

That Estill County team was good in 1982. They kicked our tails in the Choo Choo Bowl. I still remember this well.... as we are walking up the hill to our locker room, Coach French turns to me and says, "Go get that trophy." It was the runner up trophy for the bowl. Miserable. Coach French kept that dang trophy on his desk and had a name for it that I will not share here. But, he did say often, when we would have visitors, "See that trophy? We go that when David played,"

After the 1982 season, I am a senior in HS, and our Principal, Jim Gash, called me to his office. He asks me, "What is wrong with our football program?" I make it abundantly clear to him, Coach French is an excellent football coach. He is not the problem. I am pretty straight forward with him in regards to what needs to be fixed. He listens and the administration made the changes needed to get better. I don't care how good the coach is... you better have an administration that wants a program. The Mercer administration fixed the problem and it paid off, big time.  Over the years, I have had mixed feelings about a Principal calling in the quarterback for that type of conversation. But, Mr. Gash had a good relationship with my Dad. He also knew that I loved Coach French. Between my background as a coach's son and having just played four seasons in our program, maybe he thought I could help him figure it out. The final result was a good one.  Looking back on it, I am really glad we had that conversation. 

A great learning experience for me was going to scout with my Dad for Coach French when I was an assistant in 1986 & 1987. I invested alot of time in those scouting reports. Using black, blue, red & green ink, I would color code formations, down & distance, hash marks, etc. One particular time, walking into the office, very proud to turn in my scouting report, having reinvented the game of football,  with a huge smile on my face, anticipating wonder and awe at the greatest compilation of data he had ever seen, he threw my meticulous paperwork on the desk and said, "Where are your Dad's notes?"

Coach French was super to me, but just like the scouting story, I am not sure I ever grew past 8 years old in his eyes. The summer of 1987, we are prepping for Harrodsburg. By far, their best pass play is the wing coming all the way across the field. Our scout team killed us with it all summer. It had me torn all to pieces. Coach French ignored me. Half time of game one, they have hurt us with the wing pass. He turns to my Dad and says, "How do we stop this wing pass?" We coached the 1998 All Stars together when Chuck Smith was the head coach for Kentucky.  Coach French made it clear, it was my job to make sure his cones and practice equipment was ready everyday. And, of course, I didn't argue. 

Also that summer of 1987, he and Coach Johnson had a battle trying to hide their scrimmages. Coach French won that battle. I won't say he lied, but he bent the truth so bad it was unrecognizable. The Harrodsburg staff was waiting for us out by 127. We slipped out Bohon Road to Willisburg to go scrimmage North Bullitt. We knew Harrodsburg would scrimmage the night of the KHSAA rules meeting. Coach French told me to skip the meeting and go scout the Hogs. The longest walk of my life was down that hill and Coach Johnson stared a hole through me. I thought I was dead. Coach Johnson was a tremendous competitor on the field. But, I am not sure there was a kinder man or anyone more willing help someone than Alvis & Rosetta Johnson. The Mercer - Harrodsburg rivalry was intense. But, Coach Johnson & Coach French had a lot of respect for each other and that grew through the years. 

No one loved to get video in the middle of the week more than Coach French. I think it was a Wednesday. We all load up in the car, after practice, and head to John Nochta's house in Lexington to get a video. Steven is with us. We are starving. Coach French is in the house talking to Coach Nochta. Finally, out of frustration, I say, "Coach French, get your butt out here so we can go get something to eat!" We get to his house. Steven is in his room, and yells out, "Mom, get your butt in here!" Coach tells Mrs. French, "You can thank David for that."

1987- carried off the field by Chris Slone & Brian Sims
photo by Larry Vaught

In 1987, we are getting to play the Danville Admirals, and they are really good. In 1986 & 1987, we were pretty good and had reached the point that most Friday nights, we felt really good that we were going to find a way to win. When I get to the office, I tell him, "Coach, I don't feel good about this one." He said, "David, just be glad you are not playing Quarterback tonight." That Danville team went on to win a state title. 

By 2005, I got to be the head coach of the Kentucky All Stars. And, of course, I had to have him on the staff. My Dad was also, thanks to the kindness of Jimmie Reed. As you can imagine, Coach French was not really sold an 8 year old could be the head coach of that team. One time in particular, I got really frustrated with him and said, "Would you put on your Coach's shirt??!!" He responded, "If things get bad, I am headed to the bleachers!" We won that game 41-27. 

Over the years, it became fun when Coach French would change jobs. One of my favorites, I got a call from Pulaski Southwestern while I am teaching at Mason County. I knew the guy on the other end of the phone, very well. He says, "Do you think Coach French would be interested in our job? Will you call him and ask him for us?" I agree to do so. But, on the surface, I am thinking, "There is no way he is going to leave Boyle." So, I call him and ask him, "Coach, I just got a call from Southwestern. They want you to be their head coach. Are you interested?" He says "David, any time a job opens up and they call us, aren't we ALWAYS interested?" Sure enough.... he became the head football coach at Pulaski Southwestern.

A few Decembers later, the rumor begins to spread that Coach French is headed to Middlesboro. I call him and ask, "Coach, Are you going to Middlesboro?" He says, "Well, David, I have been to Middlesboro. I can tell you how to get there if you need to go there." That was the Christmas that Stephanie said, "Tell NORAD, no one cares where Santa is. All we want to know is, 'WHERE IS COACH FRENCH?' "

Another time, the rumor was that I am leaving Mason and headed to Mercer. Coach French calls me from his office at Boyle County. He has Jeff Hester and Chris Mason with him. He says, "David, are you taking the Mercer job?" Lying, I say, "Yes. And, at Sundown, Coach Johnson and I are going to meet you, Hester & Mason at the Boyle County-Mercer County line." He responds, "You and Alvis are fine. But, don't bring Becky (my little sister)! I am scared of Becky!"

A few weeks before he became the head coach at Boyle, he called me. "David, I want the Boyle job. But, I heard you want it. If you want it, I am not going to pursue it." To make a long story short, I told Coach French, that he needed to go after that job. But, that was Coach French being who he was everyday of his life.... thinking of others ahead of himself. And, especially for his players. There is nothing he would not do to help a young man that played for him. 

381 wins. 2 state titles. 48 Years as a Head Coach.

Lives changed / impacted for the better... more than you can count. 

Colossians 3:23 

Thank you Coach. 

Who knows, maybe in heaven, we can have an Ice Cream Social, AFTER we run ONE MORE PLAY. 

"One More Play" : Why We (his players) Love Coach Larry French

June 2005 after we kicked Tennessee's tail by 2 TDs

"He loved you." - Zach Massengill, April 9, 2026 

Coach French had a gift for helping young men become the best they could be.  For those of us that played for him, often, the first time that we were the best version of ourselves, we were with him. He helped us get there. He could make us as tough as we could possibly be. He could make us be the most unselfish we had ever been in our lives.  He could help us do our jobs, better, than we had ever done them before. When we became men, husbands & fathers and needed to be tough, unselfish, and do our jobs well, we knew what that looked like because on a practice field or on a Friday night, he had helped to make us that guy we needed to be in that moment as an adult. We no longer wore a helmet. But, our old Coach continued to make us the very best we could be, and when we needed it the most. That is why we loved him. 

How did he do it?  

Ultimately, I really can't describe it.  I do know that he set a tremendous example in regards to being tough, being unselfish, and doing your job at a very high level. But, he had a way of making his example come alive in your heart and between the ears like no other. 

Ironically, I am not sure how much credit he can take for his special gift in transforming lives. I really just think God wired him that way. He had an innate love for people, especially kids. His ability to see the best inside of you and bring it out was enigmatic. His method of communicating and getting you to look inside and examine yourself was inexplicable.  When success would follow, his reaction would lead you to believe that he knew it was going to happen all along. In his own unique way, he would convey the message, "Of course you won. That is who you are." 

It would be super cool to be Boone Goldsmith. Coach French's QB, 4th and goal and to score the game winning TD in the state championship on the last play of the season!

I am the EXACT opposite.  I was Coach French's QB at the lowest point of his career, 1982. I absolutely love my hometown. But, I can tell you, it is TOUGH to be the head football coach or quarterback @ Mercer County when you are WINNING. When you are not winning?  Eat your Wheaties.  

photo by Larry Vaught

But, I am beyond thankful that I was the Quarterback that was playing for him during the darkest times. The energy & intensity between the two of us on a Friday night was through the roof. We poured our guts into that moment and that team, regardless of the circumstances or results. We had an old school loyalty to each other that was worth its weight in gold and would live on for the next 44 years.  That season we passed through the Fire of the Refiner, together. Much of who we would be over the next four decades, was forged in that time.  That shared experience and the challenges we faced, together, formed a bond between us that only got stronger as the years passed. 

Much of Kentucky loves Larry French after 381 wins and two state titles. I loved COACH French the night we got on the bus to go to Berea (his alma mater) and we were 1-8 in 1982.

photo by Harrodsburg Herald
#42 (Gordon Hensley) & #44 (Brian Arnold)

To Mrs. French, Christi, Steven and their entire wonderful family, thank you for sharing him with us. The world is a different place because you allowed him to be our Coach. The sacrifices you made are immense. His ministry was absolutely, YOUR MINISTRY. 

If you hear an echo over the next few days, don't panic. Coach French now has an eternity for "One more play." Thank you Coach. Love you. 

My Dad (John Buchanan) & My Coach (Larry French)

If we had any "guts"....1985 National Championship @ Rupp

It was a Monday, probably around 5 pm,  and we were having dinner in Cowan (Centre College).  I was a sophomore that spring. The weather was perfect. While we were eating, our conversation was dominated by what would become a landmark event. 

The NCAA National Championship Game  was going to be played at Rupp that evening(April 1, 1985). Patrick Ewing, Coach John Thompson & the heavily favored Hoyas of Georgetown were going to take on the Villanova Wildcats, led by Coach Rollie Massimino & Ed Pickney. 

As the conversation continues, it just seems incredible to us that the game is going to be played less than 40 miles from where we are sitting. I look at my good friend, Chris Bowling, and say, in so many words, "If we had any 'guts", we would jump in the car, drive up there, find a way to get tickets, and watch that game!"

That statement from a 19 year old male, pretty much guarantees, "We are going to Lexington!" 

We sprint out of there and make arrangements to get to Lexington. Our quest for tickets is primarily in the outside area in front of and between Rupp & the Hyatt. The weather was great, the sun was shining, and the atmosphere was over the top. 

Finally, it looks like we may have found some tickets. 2 seats on the FRONT row of  upper arena! We begin negotiations to purchase these tickets. We are in the ball park, but the sellers think they can get more money than Chris and I have with us. We hang in there. We sort of didn't have a choice. All we had was what we had. And, for this event, we didn't have much. 

These sellers are getting edgy. They are not getting what they thought they could get or what they wanted. And, we all had to be careful because scalping tickets was illegal. It was exciting, stressful and a test of nerves. Strangely, it sort of felt like playing quarterback on a Friday night! It was chaotic, and I was having a blast. 

Every time I am in the Hyatt, I remember that night in 1985

Finally, maybe a minute before tip off, we reach an agreement. $50 each! What a phenomenal reward for hanging tough up to the bitter end. To complete the transaction, we go into the restroom of the Hyatt. It is wall to wall with people doing ticket transactions. We hand the guy our money. He barely looks at it. He hands me our purchase. I am just praying that I am really buying a ticket. When I finally get out in to the open, it really is a ticket for the front row of upper arena! We are going to the game!

We sprint to our seats and get there right as it starts. We saw an incredible basketball game. Villanova had to play virtually perfect to have a chance. They did that. Georgetown played well and they never went away.  In the final minute, the outcome was still in question. Could Villanova really continue to play the perfect game? Or, surely, Patrick Ewing and Georgetown were finally going to take the lead and win. How could they not win??

It turned out to be one of the biggest college basketball upsets ever. It was also an exceptionally well played game by both teams. That alone would make it historic. But, it was also the last college basketball game played without a shot clock.  I really don't think Villanova wins that game with a shot clock. 

Our seats. Front row, upper arena. Perfect view. Wow!! 

The next time a big opportunity presents itself, it might be worth it to gather up your "guts" and go for it. No question, April 1st, 1985, sitting in Cowan, we absolutely made the BEST decision. 

"Nobody's Gonna Come": Getting to work, TODAY

2021 Mercer County Titans

Saturday, April 4, 2015. I had just become the head coach at Mercer County HS. I asked to meet with Drew Davis and D Smith. I had coached Drew's Dad (Dennis) in HS and now he was my Boss as the Superintendent. D's Dad (Donald Wayne) had been a friend for a long time. We played HS football against each other when he was at Harrodsburg and I was at Mercer. 

Drew was going to be our Quarterback, as a senior. D was going to be our Tailback and a DB as a junior. I had never met them, but I felt like, "If I have got Dennis' and Donald Wayne's sons on my football team, those guys are going to be winners!" I was right. 

D Smith, 2016

As we discussed preparation for the 2015 season, I asked them, "Should we do a traditional spring practice in May, and an install in June? Or, do we make spring practice install and do a June mini camp?"

After that question, there was silence. They looked at each other and just stared. 

I said, "Guys, what's wrong?'

One of them said, "Coach, nobody's gonna come."

My response was, "Well, let's get to work and see what happens."

I got a couple lists. Guys that had played that said they were not playing. Guys that were not playing that were good athletes. I had meetings with a bunch of those guys. 

Fortunately, we made both spring practice and June, happen. Now, we were super thin. We only had 6 seniors and 30 total on the Varsity roster (grades 10 thru 12). We added two kickers in November... and that is a whole other story....thank goodness for those two young men (Garrett Dean & Nick McClain). 

And, the start was rough. We started 0-5. My Dad was dying and died after our first win. Two of our players lost their Dad during those 5 games. 

Then, this happened and I still am not sure what to think about it. After starting 0-4, one of our assistants walked in on Sunday and told me, "If Wayne County gets a running clock on us, I am quitting." My response was, let's get to work. 

As it turned out, we ended up winning 6 games in a row after the Wayne County loss*, which was good enough to win our district and a first round playoff game. Drew scored a TD in round 2 but the officials made a mistake, or we would have made it to the quarterfinals.

Drew Davis, 2015

By 2019, we were averaging 70 guys on the total roster, grades 9 thru 12. We were playing much better football and competing with and beating some of the best teams in Kentucky.

When things look hopeless, thinking is ok, but getting to WORK and doing what you already know how to do is what will move the needle. Once the work begins, you will see how to tweak and adjust going forward. But, thinking about how bad things are or how the ultimate results are going to be seemingly impossible to reach....WASTE OF TIME. 

2017 Quarterfinals

When you hit Monday, there may be a big mountain in your way. There is nothing wrong with that. Get to work. One day at a time. Whatever is the best you know to do in that moment, DO IT. Sure, you will tweak and adjust as you move forward. But, if we all wait until we know 100% what to do, we will never get started and get to work. 

Who knows... maybe someone will show up. 

2021, Southwestern's only losses were to Mercer & Frederick Douglass

*After the Wayne County loss, my OL Coach, a young Charlie Cox, approached Stephanie and wanted her to meet his fiancé, Chelsea. Stephanie said, "Charlie, do you want Chelsea to marry you?" He said, "Absolutely!" She said, "Then you need to keep her as far away from me as possible right now!"