|
|
|
|
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Lunney Legacy
Western Arkansas, AR
|
|
|
The Lunney family’s roots run deep in the soil of Arkansas football. Father Barry Sr. has coached in Arkansas since 1975 and is considered one of the greats. Now sons Barry Jr. and Daniel look to follow in their dad’s footsteps.
Barry Lunney Sr. has seen just about everything you can imagine on the football field. His legacy begins in Greenwood where he coached from 1975-79. Then to Southside where he would pull two tours of duty the first from 1980-83 then again from 1989-04. In 1986 he spent a year at Fordyce after a two-year layoff from coaching. In 2005 Lunney Sr. took the head job at Bentonville where he remains today.
His run at Southside was the stuff of legends. A state championship in ’91 and ’92 created the mold he would use in 1997 and 2002. Barry Lunney Jr. played on the 1992 championship team and would later go on to play at the University of Arkansas. Barry Jr. would become a fast-rising coach in the college ranks with stops at the University of Tulsa and San Jose State. Barry Jr. is the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks’ coach for the Tigers.
But coach’s kids are coached the most. Whether it’s in the car, on the way home or sitting at the dinner table, coach’s kids get more ear time than anyone. “It’s a real joy to coach your kids. The first time I was probably too hard. People would say Barry Jr. got to where he was because of his dad and that just wasn’t true,” said Barry Sr. “Daniel had it easier than Barry; I learned to treat him (Daniel) like everyone else at Southside.” Daniel Lunney played for his dad at Southside and now coaches at Morleton High School after a stint at Siloam Springs.
In every household there’s a binding force that keeps everything together. In the Lunney house it’s the wife and mom, Becky Lunney. “It takes a special lady to be a coach’s wife. To see you through the good times and to be there for the bad times.” A two-year break in coaching had Becky and daughter Rachel wanting Barry Sr. out of the house and back on the field. “I think I drove them crazy and Becky told me to go do what I love, so I did.”
The Lunney family contributes their success to their faith. “Coaching is my calling. It allowed me to find out what God created us to do on this earth,” explained Barry Sr. “It’s so rewarding to be around these young men and to have my family be a part of it is incredible.” Barry Sr. told his sons not to get into coaching for his sake, but to seek and pray and find out what they’re suppose to do with their lives. “Whatever they do in their lives, Barry Jr., Daniel or Rachel, I want them to do it with passion.”
The Lunney legacy will continue as Barry Jr. and Daniel begin their own coaching careers. As for Barry Sr. and retirement? “I feel pretty good right now and I don’t see myself getting out any time soon. It’s a blessing to work with this staff and administration at Bentonville.” Maybe a couple more titles before you call it quits, coach.
|
|
| No comments added! Click [ add a comment ] to be the first! |
|
|
|
|
Shane Boedeker
Junior tailback Shane Boedeker has given the Bentonville Tigers — the top-ranked team in the state at press time —...
More 
Archives
|
|
|
 ™
|
|
A collection of this month's best action photos.
|
|
|
|
|
|
It’s that time of the year again when the best athletes in school shed shoulder pads for gym shorts so...
More
Archives
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
®
