CHS track coach Phil Bonham(left) poses with Sarah Pearson, head track coach Stan Jarrell and assistant track coach Samantha Amis after Pearson earned a medal at the 2015 TSSAA state pentathlon.
The Coffee County coaching community was stunned on Saturday morning with the news of the passing of Coach Phil Bonham. Coach Bonham passed away early Saturday morning at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga after suffering a stroke on Thursday. Coach Bonham, who had retired from the classroom a couple years ago, was currently serving as an assistant track coach at CHS. Bonham came to Central High School in the 1980’s where he served as head girls’ basketball coach and assistant football coach. During his tenure at CHS he served as an assistant boys’ basketball coach and as head girls’ track coach. His expertise in the hurdling events in track consistently earned him qualifiers to the state meet, including 2 state competitors in the hurdles last season, and a state title in 1993.
His longtime friend and track coaching partner Stan Jarrell described the passing of Bonham as “a devastating loss, both personally and professionally.” Jarrell, who was kind enough to share his thoughts with Thunder Radio, went on to say “it will be tough going back out there on that track without him. He was very demanding of the athletes but he ALWAYS had their best interests at heart. I want to wish my deepest condolences to his family.” Bonham was 62 years old and is survived by 3 daughters and 3 grandchildren. Funeral arrangements will be handled by Central Funeral Home.
See the obituary at: http://www.thunder1320.com/obit/030816-philip-dwayne-bonham/
