College football has lost a coaching legend of the sport that you may never have heard of.
Carson-Newman announced Wednesday morning that its legendary former head football coach, Ken Sparks, passed away earlier in the day at the age of 73. Sparks had been battling prostate cancer since being diagnosed in 2012, but doctors stopped treating him in January of this year.
According to WBIR-TV, Sparks had been in hospice care for the last several weeks.It is with great sadness that we announce that @cnfootball coaching legend Ken Sparks passed away this morning at the age of 73 pic.twitter.com/AKtoXXtBvI
— C-N Athletics (@CNathletics) March 29, 2017
Sparks was the head coach at Carson-Newman from 1980 through November of 2016, when he stepped down because of health concerns. During his time at the Div. II program -- the first baker’s dozen years they were an NAIA school -- the Eagles went 338-99-2. Sparks laid claim to five NAIA national championships and qualified for the Div. II playoffs 15 times in 24 years, although they failed to win a title at that latter level.The 338 wins for Sparks are the fifth-most at any level of college football, behind only John Gagliardi (489), Joe Paterno (409), Eddie Robinson (408) and Bobby Bowden (377).
Our thoughts and prayers are with @CNathletics and the family of the late great Ken Sparks. Rest in peace, Ken. pic.twitter.com/DjS6JwXZVO
— Tennessee Athletics (@Vol_Sports) March 29, 2017