Ed Lathan was a graduate of Murphy High School and Mississippi State University.

Lathan coached one year at Davidson and 18 years at B. C. Rain. He was involved with high school athletics in Mobile County for over 33 years as a coach and administrator.

Lathan was highly involved in athletics for 14 years as principal at Alba, Alma Bryant and UMS-Wright High Schools.

Lathan began his high school head coaching career at B.C. Rain in 1974. Over the next fourteen years, his Red Raiders produced a 74-70 record on the field. They won three area titles and reached the playoffs a total of three times.

Following retirement, he moved into administration positions at several Mobile County Schools.

He was the Principle at Alba High School during the merger of rival Alba and Grand Bay high schools into Alma Bryant in 1998.

Lathan was a member of the AHSAA Legislative Council for nine years and the founding committee of the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star football game.