COACH

Jerry McDaniel was the head coach of the Vikings’ Track and Field team. He helped lead the team to its second state title in 1974, along with a pair of DeKalb County titles in 1974 and 1975.McDaniel had a tough upbringing, losing both of his parents at a young age. He attended Florida State, where he was on the track team from 1963 to 1965. During that time, he never lost a 220-yard race, and in his senior year, he did not lose a single event. In his junior and senior years, he won 15 gold medals in state and national meets. He graduated from FSU in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree. At the time of his graduation, he held the school records for the 220-yard dash, the 440-yard dash, and the 4x100 relay. McDaniel was inducted into the Florida State Athletics Hall of Fame and the Track & Field Hall of Fame of Florida.Following his graduation, McDaniel began teaching architecture while coaching track & field and football at Briarcliff High School, and later at Lakeside from 1971-1982. After leaving coaching he headed to the business world, working in the building and real estate industries.McDaniel passed away on January 7, 2004, at the age of 61. He left behind his wife, Lawre, and children, Brad and Melissa.