Jack Stewart grew up in Lineville and graduated from high school there in 1948. He was a two time letterman at Jacksonville State between 1953-54, before graduating. Stewart began his coaching career in Georgia at Bowdon high school where he was an assistant football coach. Stewart was also the girls basketball and baseball coach. His first girls basketball team reached the state finals before losing. The baseball team also was the state finals runner-up. In the fall of 1959 his desire to become a head coach led him back to his alma mater and the head job at Lineville. In six seasons coaching the Aggies his teams won 52 games while only losing 12 with 3 ties. His 1961 team was awarded the state championship by the Birmingham News and Post Herald following that season. Between 1960-1962 his Aggie teams were a combined 28-2. Two of Stewarts Lineville basketball teams finished as runner-up in the Class A state tournament. In 1966 he moved over to Saks High School. The Wildcats had only one winning season in their six years of varsity football competition prior to his arrival. Stewart would mold the program into a winner and his 1968 team went 10-1. Coach Stewart was voted Calhoun County Coach of the Year by his fellow coaches following the 1968 season. His overall record at Saks stands at 70-40-4. Stewart served on the AHSAA district board for 11 years. He was elected to the AHSAA Hall of Fame in 1995. On October 1, 1993, Saks High School named its football field in his honor. Stewart died September 11, 1998. He is also a member of the Calhoun County Hall of Fame. |