Danny Horn, who began his coaching career as an assistant at Randolph County High School, has said that he will retire after the 2026 football season.
The best coach to ever walk a high school football sideline in the state of Alabama is about to have his swan song.
The Clay Times-Journal reported this week that Central of Clay County head coach Danny Horn will retire after the 2026 season.
“As kickoff approaches all eyes will be on the team as they aim to make this final season under coach Horn one to remember,” the article said.
Horn has 374 career wins, which is the most in the history of Alabama high school football. He is six wins ahead of Fyffe’s Paul Benefield, and in an interesting twist Central and Fyffe will open the 2026 season against each other in Lineville on August 21.
Horn has guided his teams to eight state championships – six at the now-closed Clay County High School and two more at Central – which is also a state record he shares with the now-retired Terry Curtis. Horn has also won 20 region championships, including a current streak of six straight with the Volunteers.
Horn began his coaching career at Randolph County High School under hall of fame coach Ron Watters. He took the head coaching job at Clay County in 1989, which means his final season will be his 38th as a head coach.
Horn was selected for the Alabama High School Sports hall of fame and inducted in 2017.
