Piedmont, AL – Blanchard, long-time defensive coordinator under Smith and major factor in their run of success at Piedmont, succumbs to cancer.
By Joe Medley
James Blanchard, long-time assistant coach under Steve Smith at multiple schools, died Friday, Smith confirms.
Blanchard, 59, died after a long battle with cancer, Smith said.
“I loved Coach Blanchard as family,” Smith said. “His family was my family, and my family was his family. He was an extremely loyal sidekick and was very instrumental in our success.”
Blanchard most recently followed Smith to Westbrook Christian and served in his customary position as Smith’s defensive coordinator.
Blanchard served as Smith’s defensive coordinator all 17 years that Smith coached at Piedmont, helping the Bulldogs win five Class 3A state titles. Blanchard served as Piedmont’s interim head coach throughout the search that led to Jonathan Miller’s hiring as Smith’s replacement.
Smith publicly supported Blanchard, who was one of three finalists for the job.
“I will be very public and vocal with my support for Coach Blanchard to get the opportunity to move into the head coach’s position here,” Smith said when Blanchard was elevated to interim head coach. “Now, I won’t have any say so in that decision. That’s what the Board of Education is for, but he would be a slam-dunk recommendation from my end.
“I’m so appreciative of the job he’s done all 17 years with me.”
In the aftermath of Miller’s hiring, Blanchard posted graciously on Facebook.
“To anyone who reads this — It’s time for the bickering to stop,” he posted. “I’m not mad at any one board member or anyone that didn’t vote for me. God will not allow me to be mad. What kind of Coach would I be if I’m angry at people, and tell my players not to be. Let’s all put this behind us and move on. I don’t live my life to be a head coach or to be popular, I live my life the way God wants me to, but sometimes I fail. So let’s all come together for the kids – deal?
“In God We Trust (prayer emoji) Coach B.”
Smith touted Blanchard’s contributions after Blanchard’s passing Friday.
“The impact he had on the players and coaches at every stop of his career will be felt for many years,” Smith said. “Please keep the Blanchard family in your prayers as they navigate these next few days.”
Blanchard came to Piedmont shortly after Smith in 2006 and served as Smith’s defensive coordinator since. The Bulldogs won 198 games, 10 region championships and five Class 3A state championships with two runner-up finishes over that span.
Piedmont reached at least the 3A semifinals each of their last eight seasons there.
Blanchard has also been assistant head football coach, handling those duties when Smith had to be away from the facilities.
Blanchard also served as the school’s head baseball coach until turning that over to Matt Deerman in 2016.
Blanchard’s proteges included the Foster brothers, Jakari and Omar, who played defensive back. Jakari Foster has played for the University of North Alabama and Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, and he’s set to enter his first season at Conference USA member Louisiana Tech.
Foster offered condolences to the Blanchard family and most fondly recalled one of Blanchard’s pet slogans.
“Coach B was an amazing guy,” Jakari Foster said. “Now that I start to realize what ‘attacking the day’ is, he was that kind of guy himself. There was never a time he would come to school, or whatever it is that he’s doing for that day, and not attack.
“He has impacted plenty of players’ lives in and outside of sports. He probably wasn’t the best DB coach to everyone, but he was to me due to the fact he developed me throughout my high school career to get me where I first started college. #DB4L (defensive back for life) was mine, his, and Omar’s saying every time we talked to each other, and we’ll keep it going!”
