BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — Tug Valley High School head football coach Hady Ford is resigning.

The news broke on social media Thursday afternoon. The resignation announcement caught many by surprise.

Ford’s resignation as coach and driver’s education teacher was on the upcoming agenda released by the Mingo County Board of Education. The agenda stated the resignation was effective Feb. 12.

The next BOE meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 17.

“The district will work with school administration and the athletic department to ensure a smooth transition and begin the process of selecting a new football coach,” the Mingo School system said in a statement.

During his seven-year tenure, he led the Panthers to a 46-23 record, including several Class A playoff appearances and a 2024 semifinal appearance. That season, he led the Panthers to a perfect 10-0 regular season. The team’s 12 wins are the most in a single season in Tug Valley’s football history.

Ford had previously been an assistant coach at Mingo Central High School. He played at the old Matewan High, where he was a standout lineman for Coach Yogi Kinder.