PHOTO: Sports Editor, Marla Jones, and Coach Benefield sporting the signature "Paul Benefield hat".

By Marla Jones, Sports Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

FYFFE, Ala.—The Southern Torch Coach of the Week is Paul Benefield, Head Coach for the Fyffe Red Devils Varsity Football Team.

Benefield is a Fyffe High School alumni and received his degree from Jacksonville State University.  His career spans over thirty-six years.  In 1997, Benefield returned to Fyffe to lead the Red Devils.  While at Fyffe, the football team have qualified for playoffs every season but one.  Under his leadership, the Fyffe Red Devils have won twelve region championships and two State Championships.  In 2007, Benefield was named Coach of the Year by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.  In 2012, he celebrated his 200th win as head coach.  This past fall, he celebrated his 250th win. His record is 225-52, in twenty-five seasons as Head Coach.

Coach Benefield is married to Jodi Benefield.  They have three sons; Alex, Eli and Seth. Coach Benefield has had the honor of coaching all three of his sons in football.

On the field, you can hear Coach Benefield say to his players, “If it was easy, everyone would do it.” Having a winning season, year after year is hard but Benfield makes it look easy.

Check back next week to see our next Southern Torch Coach of the Week!