GHSF Daily is expanding its Four Questions feature this season beyond active head coaches to other voices in high school football. Today's interviewee is retired Coffee head coach Bonwell Royal, for whom Coffee's field is named. Royal's teams at Coffee and Manchester had a record of 184-116-5. A Coffee County High graduate, Royal has lived in his hometown almost his entire life.
Bonwell Royal, retired Coffee head coach
1. How closely do you follow high school football today? "I still follow high school football closely. I still study the scores and rankings each week. I want to know how different schools are doing. One of the main sources for my study is your publication. It really helps me to keep up with players, schools and coaches. I try to attend as many games as I can. As I am growing older, I don't go to some of the away games. I listen to those games on the radio. From time to time, I do go out to see Coffee High's practices. I enjoy watching the organization of practice. I still follow high school football closely because it was my life for so many years. Football gave me great opportunities throughout my schooling and career. I got a great education because of the game. My coaching career was a way of life for my whole family."
2. How does football today compare to when you first began coaching 50 years ago or even just 15 years ago when you retired? "One of the comparisons that I see today from my earlier years is that football is basically year-round now. When I was coaching, you could not begin practice of any type until July 1. Also, we were able to get our team off for a week of camp in August. This helped to build my program each year. Now, school begins so early that it becomes difficult to have camps for a lot of schools. A major difference that I see today in high school athletics is that athletes are stronger and quicker than they ever have been. I think the emphasis in the weight room has made the difference."
3. Who is the best high school player that you coached, and who was the best player you faced? "I have coached a lot of great athletes. It is hard for me to pick one. However, due to his state recognition, I would have to say it was Andre 'Pulpwood' Smith. Pulpwood was named the all-state Offensive Player of the Year in Georgia by the Atlanta Journal. He was good for a 9.1 average yard gain every time he touched the ball his senior year. I have also coached against many outstanding players. Probably the one that stands out the most to me was Dexter Carter from Appling County. His quickness and agility were remarkable. Of course, he made a name for himself as he went on to play college and professional ball."
4. You played at Coffee, then at South Georgia College under coach Bobby Bowden, then coached at Coffee for 26 years and still live there. It has been told that you had offers to coach on Bowden's staff at FSU. Why have you chosen to stay in Coffee all these years? "My players would have told you that I told them I coached high school because I liked to hunt and fish on Saturdays. However, the truth of the matter is that I liked coaching high school-aged athletes. This is the age that I related to the most. You see, I just liked those Friday night lights. I still do. Yes, Coach Bowden was a mentor to me. We still stay in touch, and I see him every June at our football reunion at South Georgia College. Coach Bowden and I are still very close friends. I love Coffee County because it's my home."
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