Eastern Kentucky University's legendary football coach, Roy Kidd, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 91 according to a statement from the school's athletic department.
Kidd became a legend in college ball as he led Eastern Kentucky University's football team from 1964 until 2002.
In his nearly four-decade career as a coach, Kidd led the Colonels to an astounding 314 wins which was good enough to put him at #10 on the all-time wins among NCAA coaches.
Kidd was also inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003 following his retirement from coaching at the college level.
Kidd's teams were so good that he ended his time at Eastern Kentucky with a .713 winning percentage. His teams consistently dominated NCAA Division I-AA football.
Eastern Kentucky's press release stated, "College football has lost one of its all-time legends, and Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) one of its most beloved and accomplished sons."
Eastern Kentucky's current head coach, Walt Wells, responded to Kidd's passing by saying, "There aren't enough words to express everything that Coach Kidd meant to Eastern Kentucky University and the EKU football program. He was and will continue to be a huge influence on me, not just as a coach, but also as a father and a husband. Coach, I'll miss you and I love you!"
Kidd was an Eastern Kentucky product from the day he was born in Corbin, Kentucky, and attended high school at Corbin High School.
Upon graduating, Kidd went straight to Eastern Kentucky University and became an accomplished athlete for both the football and baseball teams.
After graduation, Kidd spent a few years coaching at the high school level before accepting a job for one year at Morehead State University. He would then spend one year as an assistant coach at Eastern Kentucky, before ascending to the head coach position.
For the next 39 years, Kidd would cement his position as one of the greatest coaches in college football history.
Kidd entered hospice care last week and with his passing, he is survived by his wife of 62 years as well as three children. Kidd also has six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Not only will Kidd's legacy live on through his numerous children and grandchildren, his legacy also lives on through hundreds of student-athletes who owe so much to Kidd and his talent as a leader.
Kidd coached 55 All-Americans, 202 first team All-OVC selections and 41 of his players would go on to sign contracts with the National Football League.
