Benny Hammonds retires as Gatlinburg-Pittman football coach

In a text message to the News Sentinel on Thursday, Benny Hammonds announced that he is retiring as the football coach of Gatlinburg-Pittman after 45 years.

“I would like to thank my family, administrators, players, coaches and the community for allowing me to be a part of this special organization,” Hammonds wrote. “I have been fortunate as a coach to have had a great group of players come through this program. Our goal was always to be the best in the state and to approach every opportunity with class. I wish the very best for the players and the program in the coming years.”

Hammonds began his coaching career with a one-year stint at Cocke County, where he went 1-8-1 in 1969, and was hired as the Highlanders’ coach in 1972.

In his 45 years at Gatlinburg-Pittman, Hammonds posted a 347-165 record. His 348 career wins ranks fourth all-time in the state of Tennessee behind Alcoa’s Gary Rankin (397), St. George’s Ken Netherland (368) and Brentwood Academy’s Carlton Flatt (355).