Legendary Blount Head Football Coach Ben Harris to Enter National Hall of Fame
Former Blount Coach Honored by Alabama State Legislature
MONTGOMERY, AL – Former Blount High School head football coach Ben Harris has been selected for induction into the National High School Football Hall of Fame. Honored at the Alabama State Legislature this week, Harris was recognized with a proclamation introduced by State Representative Napoleon Bracy of Mobile. The ceremony took place during the legislative session, where Harris was joined by his family, AHSAA Associate Executive Director Brian McRae, and Mobile area legislators. Harris will formally join the Hall of Fame Class of 2025 on June 14 in Canton, Ohio, home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Harris, who expressed his gratitude during his speech, stated, “I have been very blessed.”
A Legacy of Excellence
Harris built a legendary coaching career, beginning as a standout quarterback at Toulminville High School in Mobile and later excelling at Alabama State University, where he became one of the school’s most prolific quarterbacks. After taking the helm at Mattie T. Blount High School in 1988, Harris transformed the struggling program. Under his leadership, Blount captured four Class 5A state championships (1990, 1992, 1996, 1997) and 30 playoff victories in the 1990s, amassing a record of 100-30 during that period.
Harris coached some of Alabama’s most celebrated athletes, including:
- Sherman Williams, the state’s first single-season 3,000-yard rusher (Alabama)
- DeMarco McNeil, the first lineman to win Alabama’s Mr. Football Award (Auburn)
- Dameyune Craig, standout quarterback (Auburn)
- Deandre Green, 1998 AHSAA Class 5A Back of the Year (Auburn)
Harris was named AHSAA 5A Coach of the Year four times and Alabama High School Coach of the Year twice. He also received national recognition, earning the NFL High School Coach of the Year Award in 1997.
Career Highlights and Honors
Over a 19-year career, Harris led his teams to 135 victories, most of which came during two tenures at Blount. He is the school’s all-time wins leader and guided the Leopards to eight regional titles. His influence extended far beyond the field, as former players like Tony Hairston remember him as a mentor and father figure who instilled life lessons and values.
Harris’s numerous accolades include:
- Induction into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame (2013)
- Induction into the Alabama State University Hall of Fame (2024)
- Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alabama Football Coaches Association
- Three-time Mobile County Citizen of the Year
Induction to the Class of 2025
Harris will join a distinguished list of legends in the National High School Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025, including:
- Hanford Dixon, Theodore High School (AL), Cleveland Browns All-Pro
- Ken Hall, Sugarland High School (TX) running back
- Tim Couch, Leslie County High School (KY) quarterback
- Michael Vick, Warwick High School (VA) quarterback
- Jim Thorpe, Carlisle Indian Industrial School (PA)
- Warren Moon, Hamilton High School (CA) quarterback
Harris’s induction marks the continuation of a remarkable career that has left an indelible impact on high school football in Alabama and beyond.
FEATURED IMAGE: Joining Ben Harris at the Alabama State House of Representatives Tuesday were his daughters Bianca Perine, Deidre Harris and April Davis, his wife Gwendolyn, State Representative Napoleon Bracy, and AHSAA Associate Executive Director Brian McRae
