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A coaching legend has passed. Morris "Mo" Tipton passed away today after a short period of declining health while in South Carolina with his family.
Thoughts and prayers to his wife Suzanne, children and grandchildren. The architect of "Red Rider Tradition," Coach Tipton is the all-time winningest coach in Orrville history, compiling 168 wins from 1965 to 1987. His all-time record at Orrville was 168-69-5 in 23 seasons (He was 203-84-6 in 28 seasons counting his time at Akron Hoban and Coventry).
He led 13 Orrville teams to conference titles, 7 teams to undefeated regular seasons, boasted 6 playoff appearances, 8 playoff wins, 4 regional titles and 2 state runner-up finishes.
The Orrville football program is what it is thanks to Coach Tipton....and it was great seeing him this past October at his son Clay's induction into the Orrville Sports Hall of Fame.
Thoughts and prayers to the Tipton family, and all who called Coach Tipton a friend.
Photo Memories (click on each picture for a full-size version)
1. Smitty and Mo...Two coaching legends.
2. Family
3. "When the Coach talks, player listen."
4. The refs listened too...
5. Just being Coach...
Rest in Peace, Coach.
Share your "Mo"-ism. The comments section is wide open for anyone who knew Coach to express their sympathies or to simple share a story or fond memory. I've removed the registration requirements, so you don't need to sign up with an email address in order to comment. I'll still review and approve all comments for appropriateness.
Mo Reading. Here are two articles I did on Mo..the first from January 2009 and one from April of 2010 when he was inducted into the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
7 comments:
When my father was the band director at ORHS back in the '60s, I remember many a tale of the poker games he had with Mo, Coach Shunkwiler, et al. I was in elementary school at the time so my memories are a tad hazy (plus I didn't get to stay up very late), but I remember Mr. Tipton as being a big guy with a great sense of humor. Farewell to an Orrville legend.
When Coach came in dropping F-Bombs about the blue and gold for our Wooster pre-game speech in 2006, it was the most awesome thing ever.
I was in his Business Math class in 1966. On several game days he had "other things" to do and he asked me, to lead the class. WHAT A JOKE THAT WAS!
Lura Beth(Franks)Sams
I took typing from coach in1966 or 1967. When I asked him to guess what I got for Christmas, he did a reverse Santa and sat in MY lap to ask what I got - which was a pink Royal manual typewriter!
I have known the Tipton's for over 25 years and am proud to see all the great comments about Mo. Rest in peace Mo. Steve Priddy from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
EMY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO COACH TIPTONS FAMILY. HE WILL BE MISSED BY SO MANY PEOPLE. HE MADE A DIFFERENCE IN SO MANY LIVES AND MADE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE.IM SURE THE COACHES WILL BE GETTING TOGETHER IN THE BIG STADIUM FOR A COACHES MEETING AND KEEPING AN EYE ON ALL OF US.
It’s easy to measure coaches success by W and L’s. It’s harder to measure the more important impacts a great coach can have on young athletes. I played for Coach in the 80’s. I wasn’t a standout athlete, but Coach made me feel like I was just as important to the team. What I took away from football wasn’t how to block, tackle, etc. , it was about challenging myself, building confidence and perseverance, learning how to depend on team members, and to be honest – which team members to not depend on. Its these learning’s that have carried me forward in life. I owe Coach allot of gratitude for this, he pulled me aside several times during my high school football days to personally connect with me, pumping me up with confidence and setting expectations. It’s amazing how those conversations 30years later still are still so clear, it says something about the larger than life personality of Mo and the respect he commanded.
My son doesn’t play for Orrville, but I have talked to my sons coaches many times over the years about my experiences at Orrville and setting expectations with them of what I expect. It’s funny, when I mentioned Orrville and the 80’s, they made the comment ‘ you played for Mo Tipton!’. Coach Mo is so well respected by current coaches even though they are separated by many years/miles.
Thank You Coach and God Bless.
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