Don Flippo, a Brilliant, AL native, began his coaching career upon graduation from The University of North Alabama as an assistant at Warrior High School in 1975. After spending one season at Warrior, Coach Don Cox hired him away to Dora High School as an assistant football coach in what was a "rebuilding project" and head baseball coach. After working with Coach Cox four years as an assistant, Coach Flippo had his first chance to become a head football coach in 1980 as Coach Cox left for Russellville.

Coach Flippo continued to build upon the success Dora had under Coach Cox. In six seasons from 1980 through 1985 Coach Flippo had a 42-24 record. His final three teams reached the playoffs and two won region championships -- 1983 and 1985. His final team at Dora reached the championship losing on a frigid night at Colbert County.

Coach Flippo then took over a rebuilding project in Sylacauga in 1986. It didnt take long for Coach Flippo to turn the program as his first four teams reached the playoffs. Two of those teams -- 1987 and 1989 -- reached the 5A semifinals. Coach Flippos Sylacauga teams won three region championships in a row from 1987-1989. Sylacauga reached the playoffs again in 1992 falling in the second round. Coach Flippo stepped down as head coach following the 1993 season with a record of 48-45 at Sylacauga, ranking currently as the fifth most victories for a head coach at Sylacauga and an 8-5 playoff record, the most playoff victories for a Sylacauga coach.

Coach Flippo remained at Sylacauga, teaching until his retirement in 1999. After retirement from education, Coach Flippo went into sporting good sales and continued to serve the city of Sylacauga as a city councilman for two terms from 2000-2008.

Coach Flippo passed away on September 9, 2015 from a sudden heartache. His loss affected many in both the Dora and Sylacauga communities. A standing room only memorial service was held Saturday September 12, 2015. Many of his former players, coaches who coached with and for him, and many current and former head coaches that knew Coach Don Flippo gathered with many tears, chuckles and laughs shared as everyone remembered the man they knew and loved simply as "Coach".

by Daryl Strickland