Legendary Milton High School Coach and State Championship Winner, Hurley Manning, Passes Away at 87
His Milton's legacy will remain forever!
October 10, 2026
This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on October 10, 2026
Hurley Nall Manning, a central figure in Milton, Florida’s football history, passed away on September 30, 2026, at the age of 87.
The late coach will join the Heavenly gods along with his late wife, Shirley Manning. He is survived by his daughters, Lynette Roever and Heather Couper.
Manning’s impact on the Sports and the Milton Community is remarkable, with his legacy continuing to inspire future Footballers.
His famous philosophy, “Only three things can happen when you pass the ball, and two of them are bad,” still runs down through the stands of Milton.
The late coach spent over two decades coaching the Milton High School Panthers, helping them win two consecutive state championship titles in 1978 and 1979, following a heartbreak runner-up finish in 1972.
Under Milton, the high school also clinched Nine District Championships, Seven Regional Championships, and Four Sectional Championships.
Not Just A Standout Coach
Manning was not only a standout Football Coach, but also a great player for Milton High School, his alma mater.
He has numerous honors and achievements at Milton, where he served as an athlete for all four years.
Manning earned multiple athletic honors, including All-Conference Guard in 1953, All-Conference Halfback in 1954 and 1955, and All-State recognition in 1955. He was also part of the Northwest Florida Conference Championship teams in both 1952 and 1955.
During his time at Troy State University, he was a leading rusher in 1959. ” ‘Mule’ was one of my favorite teammates at Troy. Really sorry to hear of his passing. No surprise that he had such an outstanding coaching record,” wrote his old friend.
Numerous other students, family, friends, and colleagues have paid tribute to the late coach.
On September 30th, Milton High School also honored his memory by lighting the entire Manning Field.
They added, “On our crest is the phrase, ‘Sit Lux’-which means ‘Let your light shine.” Coach Manning truly lived by those words, and his light will continue to shine through the countless lives he influenced. Coach Manning, thank you for the memories, the victories, and the lasting legacy you leave behind. You will be greatly missed.”
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Hurley Nall Manning was born on March 30, 1938, in Allentown, Florida.
- He coached the Milton High School Footbal team from 1968 to 1988.
- Before joining Milton, he also coached Thomasville High School and Gainesville High School.
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Anish Koirala has loved sports since he was a kid. He grew up playing basketball and soccer, and that passion stayed with him over the years. Today, Anish works as a writer and editor, sharing his knowledge and love for the game through articles and stories. He uses his playing experience to make his writing clear, thoughtful, and fun to read.
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