As a star linebacker/running back in 1999, Harlan’s Frank Shope played a key role on an 11-2 squad that was among the best football teams in school history.
As the new football coach at his alma mater, Shope begins the process of rebuilding after a 2025 season that was among the school’s worst.
The Dragons are coming off a 1-10 season in which they were outscored 469-50. Brian Williams was let go as coach earlier in the spring with Shope taking over as interim coach. Harlan officials reportedly interviewed several candidates for the job before asking Shope to stay on a permanent basis.
After starring at Harlan. Shope went on to a successful career at Cumberland College. He was a two-time selection as an All Mid South Conference player and preseason All-American heading into his senior season. Shope is currently the director of District Wide Services for the Harlan Independent Schools.
Shope played for one of the best football teams in school history at Harlan as one of the three teams (along with 1979 and 2009) to make it as far as the regional finals and plans to share his love of the program with his players.
“There are very few if any who love Harlan and football more than I do. I spent some of the best years of my life, made lifelong friends and learned so many life lessons out there on that same field. I can still go to the exact spot on the field where I cried when we lost to Pikeville in the regional championship,” he said. “I want these kids to fall in love with what I consider the best sport there is. I am excited to get started and follow in the footsteps of the great coaches that have coached in the past, especially J.B. Donahue, whom I look at as a second dad to me. I also look forward to welcoming back all the alumni and those who have supported the program in the past and current supporters now. I believe the ability to win at the highest level is possible here, and I want to make them proud.”
“Frank as the head football coach at Harlan High School makes this old football coach happy,” Donahue said. “He was a tremendous player. Frank was a tremendous talent with a better work ethic. He is a leader in everything he does and is a terrific role model for the young men who will play for him. Every player who plays for coach Shope will be a better player and person.”
“I couldn’t be more excited about coach Frank Shope leading our high school football program. As a former player, middle school coach and high school assistant coach, he brings tremendous knowledge of the game and a strong commitment to developing our student-athletes both on and off the field,” said Harlan Independent Schools Superintendent Jennifer Parsons. “Most importantly, he is a Green Dragon, and I know he will represent our program and community with great passion and pride.”
As one of the smallest football-playing schools in the state, Harlan has struggled with numbers and depth for several years.
“The first thing that is necessary to rebuild this program is to recruit the hallways. There are kids walking the hallways that can instantly help,” Shope said. “The other thing is to establish a culture of integrity, hard work, love for each other, and going back to the fundamentals. I don’t know any other way.”
