The Jimmy Haynes who is the author is the son of one of Russellville’s greatest football coaches ever of the same name. He is chronicled in a related story this month about the honorary captains for the Panthers’ game against Mayfield. The younger Haynes wrote this in response to an invitation extended his day to attend the Oct. 14 game.
My dad, Coach Jimmy Haynes, has many significant accomplishments from his days at RHS. Most notably me.! I was born in Russellville 6/14/1949. I know a lot about the great legacy of RHS. In fact, Bennie Parker, who was my dad's high school coach at Pensacola High School, was instrumental in my dad being hired as HBC ( Head Ball Coach Steve Spurrier talk) at RHS.
In fact, Bennie did all of the scouting and helped Dad with his game plans every week. I know that most of Dad's success is directly attributable to Bennie. Dad was the HBC but Bennie did a lot of the heavy lifting as well. Bennie left Russellville and went to Shawnee High School in Louisville, and Dad followed him again prior to our family moving back home to Pensacola, where my parents are both natives.
Fortunately, we made a trip back to Russellville in the summer before I entered the eighth grade. My parents’ good friends, Red & Lucille Brown, hosted a cook out at their home and just about all of my Dad's old guys showed up and I got to meet them, along with guys like Hoptown- Hugh Waltrip, Ray Gaw, Howard Wren & Joe Hardy. In fact, I got to know Howard and Joe quite well, as they had a condo together between Panama City and Fort Walton Beach. Also, Howard's son Clay lives in the Pensacola area and is a good friend of mine. So we remain very connected to our "Russellville Roots".
I also noticed on your web page that Johnny Guion, class of 1959, is active in support of your program. I remember meeting him in his father's grocery store during our visit back to Russellville in eighth grade. So you can see we have very fond memories of our life back then.
Unfortunately, Dad has dementia and he does not do well at all out of his every day environment. Regrettably, he will not be able to attend the event of Oct 24. I just had to decline another invitation to a reunion of the 1969 Florida Gators (Dad was the offensive line coach) for the same reason. But! He would appreciate you letting "his boys" know that some of his fondest memories in coaching are from the years at RHS. The relationships he made with his players have lasted a lifetime and are priceless to him and my mother.
I know I probably gave you more information than you needed! But, I felt it was important for you to know how he felt about his boys from Russellville. He was only four or five years older than most of those guys but he had fought in WW II and had grown up in a hurry.
Additionally! If you would pass along Dad's mailing address to the old guys that are still living I know he would love hearing from them. His mind and memory from the past are very vivid. It is his short term memory that causes him the most problems.
Thank you for remembering him and pass along his warmest regards to all of his guys that may be there with you on the 24th of October.
Mailing address for Coach Haynes:
6425 Mariana Drive
Pensacola, FL 32504