Legendary Coach Harry Jacobs dies

Lazaro Aleman
ECB Publishing, Inc.

Harry Jacobs, a coach who started out in Jefferson County and went on to become one of Florida’s most successful track-and-field coaches, and a legend in his own right, died on Tuesday, April 25, at age 81.
During a lifetime of achievements, Jacobs not only set records as an athlete in his college years, but he coached 16 teams to state championships, including the FAMU Baby Rattlers, which won 13 state track-and-field titles, 10 of them in a row. After retiring in 2003, Jacobs returned to coaching twice, first at Rickards High for three years, and then at Jefferson County High.
During his career, he also coached football, attaining an impressive 136-36 record during a 20-year period. He is moreover credited with helping produce eight high school All-Americans in track and field, and helping send nine former athletes to the NFL, as well as influencing a great many others.
Among his honors, Jacobs was inducted into the FHSAA Hall of Fame, and had the Jefferson County track-and-field facility named after him.
In 2016, the then 73-year-old Jacobs returned to coach the Jefferson County Tigers, aiming to restore the track-and-field team to its former glory. Jacobs, in fact, had guided the Tigers track-and-field team to three consecutive state titles from 1974 to 1976. During his earlier time at Howard Academy, he was awarded the CROWN Conference Coach of the Year Award.
Of Jacobs’ coaching, former students say that he was a great motivator, able to make his athletes believe in themselves and perform at their best. He also was described as big-hearted, caring, and a father figure to the young.
Genuine and mild-mannered, Jacobs reportedly encouraged respect and fostered a strong work ethic and Christian values in those he coached.
Of himself, he is quoted saying that he “was tough in his actions, but not rough in speech.”
A native of Wildwood, he graduated from FAMU with a bachelor’s degree in physical education 1966 and subsequently earned a masters degree in administration and supervision in 1972.
He began his coaching career at Howard Academy School in 1966, right after graduating from FAMU. For the next 14 years, he coached track-and-field and football at Jefferson High School, before going on to FAMU High.