Corey Keathley – the Legacy Lives On

By Terry Futrell – October 10, 2018

Ask anyone about the legacy a coach leaves behind, and most will rattle off win-loss records, championships won, etc. Wartburg Central High School Assistant Football Coach Corey Keathley leaves behind a different kind of legacy – one not measured by accomplishments on the football field, by trophies won, nor by numbers in the record books. Instead, Corey’s legacy is measured by the young lives he touched, mentored, and influenced in a positive way – it is a legacy that will live on for generations.

All who knew Corey were overcome with sadness and heartbreak over his death on October 9. But, it was not sorrow for Corey, for all knew that he had passed on to a crown of glory. No, it was sorrow for those left behind who will miss him in so many ways. In the words of Austin “Spanky” Swint, one of the many young people whose lives were molded and shaped by Corey Keathley, “I’m going to miss you coach but this only means you just beat us home.”

It is easy to think of Corey’s passing as a loss, but this young man had already packed so much into his 41 years and influenced more young lives than most of us will if we live twice as long. As a football coach and Sunday School teacher, his life revolved around giving to others, especially young people. A father-figure to many, the love he freely dished out to each included discipline and challenges to be a better person.

As expressed by Coach Kevin Human, Corey would challenge his players every day with these words “Give it all you got, every play, every snap, on and off the field. If you can play the game of football for four years, you can handle about anything that life throws at you.”

Corey’s approach to coaching and mentoring is summarized in the words of Wartburg Bulldog Josh Dewayne Moore, who said “Not only have I lost a coach, but also my best friend. Corey Keathley always pushed me and showed me what I’m capable of on and off the field. I’m thankful for every moment I got to spend with him. Someone who I knew always had my back, the first person to ask how practice was, and the one who waited for me after games to talk.”

Central to Corey’s approach to ministry were the words of 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.” Corey ran the race and ran it well. All who have placed their faith not in their own performance, but in the righteousness of Jesus Christ can say with Spanky “this only means you just beat us home.”