A standout offensive guard on Evarts’ 1990 Class A regional championship team and later the last head football coach at his alma mater, Ovie Canady played an important role in Harlan County football history.
Canady died on Tuesday, leaving his former players and coaching colleagues to remember the impact he had on so many lives in a long coaching career that included stops at Middlesboro, Evarts, Harlan County, Perry Central and Bell County. He stepped away from football after his youngest son, Hayden graduated, but he remained as the wrestling coach at Bell County.
After starting his coaching career as an assistant at Middlesboro, Canady took over as the head football coach at Evarts in 2001 and remained in the job until the final season in 2007, leading the Wildcats to four playoff appearances in seven seasons. He was also the school’s last baseball coach.
He joined Tom Larkey’s staff at Harlan County High School as defensive coordinator in 2008 and helped build “The Dirty Animals” defense that found immediate success. The Bears posted six straight winning seasons in perhaps the best start for any football program in eastern Kentucky football history. The Bears won at least one playoff game in each of the first six seasons of the program and captured regional championships in 2010 and 2012 and fell in overtime at Pulaski Southwestern in the 2011 regional finals. The Bears became the last Harlan County team to play in the state semifinals since Evarts in 1990.
“Coach Canady was the man who orchestrated the wrath and mayhem of the Filthy Animals on Friday nights. He knew how to get the best from his players. He preached accountability and relentless effort, which were the staples of our team and defense. He coached each player differently to ensure the best from them,” said former HC lineman Travis Fields. “As players, you gave him your best because you knew he cared so much about you and the team that you didn’t want to let him down. Thank you for all the hours sacrificed away from your family to ensure that we were fully prepared for opponents. Thank you for instilling the values that we were taught every day, without knowing, that has made me a better man. One town, one team, one family, together – we are HC.”
“There’s very few players who understand what it was like to try to get a defense lined up for Coach (Canady). Most of my football accomplishments were made by me simply not wanting to disappoint him,” former Harlan County player T.J. Green said.
Canady moved to Perry Central with Larkey and then took over as head coach when Larkey retired and coached his oldest son, Noah. He eventually moved to Bell County and served as an assistant football coach and head wrestling coach while teaching English.
“Ovie was such a loyal coach to me. He was a big part in building football in Harlan County. He was my best friend. We’ve enjoyed our 10 years together,” Larkey said. “He didn’t have to go with me to PCC but he did because of his devotion. I’m gonna miss him. He was a tough coach but still that good guy in him and could be funny. We’ve laughed so much we cried. Now, I cry because he’s gone. The HC staff was bonded, and kids loved him in spite of his toughness. He built them into men. We were such a good team together.”
