Spence McCracken leaned back in his office chair and talked about his late father. He spoke of things like determination, the will to win and hard work … traits that were obviously passed down.
He told me stories of his father’s role on a little Indiana high school basketball team long ago, real-life Hoosiers who upset the heavyweights.
He told me about passion — a desire to win no matter the size of the opponent, no matter the odds.
That was 1995 and McCracken had just been named head coach at Opelika.
Three state titles at Robert E. Lee secured McCracken’s place in Alabama high school football history. He could have been satisfied. He was not.
His new focus was turning Opelika — which fielded some fine teams in the early 1990s — into a perennial powerhouse.
And he did.
Spence McCracken is one of the most driven people (not just coaches, but people) I have ever seen. The man will sit in the film room for hours analyzing the few defeats and take stiff measures to make sure whatever mistakes were made on the field that particular Friday night did not happen again.
Driven.
Completely.
McCracken, who has more than 300 victories at Montgomery Academy, Lee and Opelika, announced earlier this season that this year would be his last.
It’s hard to imagine McCracken spending fall Friday nights anywhere but the sidelines.
The man was born to coach football, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see his competitive fire light up once again. In fact, I believe he will.
His Opelika successor has not been announced, but many speculate McCracken’s long-time right-hand man Brian Blackmon, the Bulldogs’ offensive coordinator, is the top choice. That’s for the brass at Opelika City Schools to decide, but you’ve got to believe Blackmon’s ready for the challenge.
Whoever replaces McCracken will have a difficult time matching his gusto. Someone once said Coach McCracken is like a hummingbird fueled by an over-caffeinated energy drink.
He doesn’t stop.
If he’s not coaching, he’s organizing. If he’s not organizing, he’s teaching weightlifting class.
If he’s not teaching weightlifting class, he’s breaking down game plans. If he’s not breaking down game plans, he’s out on the nearby track walking around and around and around.
For 14 seasons, Spence McCracken has been good for Opelika. He set an example for others to follow.
Determination.
The will to win.
Hard work.
His father would be proud.
Joe McAdory is editorial page editor for the Opelika-Auburn News. He can be reached at 737-2549 or jmcadory@oanow.com
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