Legendary Swain County High School head football coach Boyce Detiz has passed at the age of 74. The school shared the news on social media on Saturday morning. Deitz won a total of nine football state championships in various roles over his lifetime.

This year, Deitz was honored with induction into the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s Hall of Fame. The ceremony, which occurred in August, recognized him as one of eight inductees.

During his time as head coach, primarily at Swain County High School in Bryson City, Deitz achieved an overall record of 218 wins, 72 losses, and 2 ties.

Deitz, originally from Jackson County, was victorious in the 2A state championship for two consecutive years, 1965 and 1966, while playing for Sylva-Webster. He was recognized as an all-conference and All-Western North Carolina player. Following his graduation from Western Carolina University in 1971, Deitz came back to Sylva-Webster as an assistant coach and contributed to their success in winning two more 2A state championships in 1972-73.

In 1977, Deitz took on the role of head coach at Swain County High School. The football team had not been very successful before he arrived. Under Deitz’s leadership, Swain won state championships in 1979, 1985, 1988, 1989, and 1990. The 1989 and 1990 teams were the only 1A teams to win consecutive non-subdivided championships until Mount Airy achieved the same feat this year.

The coach came back to his hometown to lead the football team at Smoky Mountain during the years 1997-1999. Following his coaching stint, he then took on the role of a Jackson County Commissioner.

Source: highschoolot.com