Huguenot High dedicates football field to former coach Richard McFee

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Former Huguenot High School football coach Richard McFee, III, who retired in 2007 after nearly two decades on the sidelines, was honored Friday night with a field dedication in his name.

“Football never gets old,” McFee told 8News.

McFee led the Falcons to 154 wins with just 64 losses between 1988 and 2007, helping to send six of his players to the NFL and more than 75 others to Division I college teams.

“We must have done something right,” McFee said, laughing. “So many kids had never even seen an NFL game before.”

Historic footage of Huguenot High football coach Richard McFee, III. (Footage provided to 8News.)

Historic footage of Huguenot High football coach Richard McFee, III. (Footage provided to 8News.)

Historic footage of Huguenot High football coach Richard McFee, III. (Footage provided to 8News.)

The school marked its first home game of the season by officially renaming the field after McFee, who said his mission was simple when he started coaching.

“When I started coaching in ’88, they had never had a winning season,” he said. “All I wanted to do was show people that these kids could win.”

McFee said the players were more like his own family -- and his secret?

“Always stay positive," he said. "I don’t think I’ve ever said anything negative to a kid trying to do the right thing for football.”

Former Huguenot High football coach Richard McFee, III, on the day McFee Field was dedicated to him. (Photo: 8News)

The McFee Field dedication, named for former Huguenot High football coach Richard McFee, III. (Photo: 8News)

The newly-named McFee Field, named for former Huguenot High football coach Richard McFee, III. (Photo: 8News)

With his name now permanently on the school’s field, McFee’s spirit will carry on every Friday night.

“Now we get to give Coach McFee his flowers while he can still smell them,” one Huguenot staff member said at his ceremony.