Alabama head coach Nick Saban sent his condolences to Deshler High School in Tuscumbia, Ala., days after the school’s head football coach died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Dated Oct. 22 on Saban’s official letterhead, he said: “The sudden loss of life is a burden no team should have to bear. My heart goes out to all of those young men. I have no doubt that Coach Linville was a great leader and not only well respected on the field and in the classroom, but in the community as well.”
★ Nick Saban is a class act.
Deshler's football coach dies and Saban sends the school this letter.
@TheAlabamaLogo… pic.twitter.com/5WgOBsiRin
— Roll Tide #15™ (@jerrysandersRTR) October 24, 2014
“I know you and your staff will continue to encourage your team through this tough time and please know that you and your team will be in the thoughts and prayers of the Alabama football staff,” Saban continued in the letter.
Jake Linville was in his first year as Deshler head coach, and was 42 years old. Currently riding a seven-game winning streak, Deshler is scheduled to play a game Friday for the first time without its first-year head coach. The players are insistent upon playing the game in his memory.
Deshler is scheduled to play Rogers High from Florence, Ala. tonight.
