Belfry, Kentucky – In a tragic incident Saturday morning, Philip Haywood, head football coach at Belfry High School, is in serious condition following a car crash. According to the local fire chief and Pike County Emergency Management Director, Nee Jackson, Haywood encountered black ice while driving, causing his vehicle to slide into a creek near Forest Hills. The incident reportedly involved only Haywood, who is now on his way to the University of Kentucky for medical attention.
Haywood’s condition is serious, and community members are coming together to support him and his family during this difficult time. Senator Phillip Wheeler expressed his concern on social media, urging everyone to keep Haywood in their thoughts and prayers. Additionally, Haywood’s daughter, Melissa, provided an update on Facebook, revealing the extent of her father’s injuries: “Dad was in a wreck. He’s got two punctured lungs, a hematoma on the brain, and a cervical fracture.”
Philip Haywood is renowned for being the winningest high school football coach in KHSAA history. He has dedicated over four decades to the Belfry Pirates, becoming their head coach in 1984. Under his leadership, the Belfry football program achieved significant success, winning its first-ever state title in Class 2A in 2003 and following it up with seven more championships in the years 2004, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2021. The Belfry Pirates had just come off a state finalist season in 2024, demonstrating the strong athletic legacy Haywood has built in the community.
As the community rallies around Coach Haywood, there is hope for his recovery, and residents are looking to support his family during this challenging time.
