MAN, WV (WOWK) — Before Friday’s home-opener against Mount View, Man High School will honor legendary coach William “Tootie” Carter, who passed away in January .

Carter coached the Hillbillies from 1969 to 1998, winning more than 200 games and making the playoffs 12 times. After retiring, Carter coached baseball and middle school football.

“I just wish he could’ve experienced this for himself before he passed away,” Man Athletic Director and Carter’s nephew Orlando Washington said. “This would have meant so, so, so much to him.”

West Virginia’s first black head coach, Carter was born and raised in Man, working with the Logan County Board of Education for more than 50 years. It’s his impact on his players that makes his legacy lasting.

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“I’m just very proud because of the man he was and what he meant to the community,” Washington said. “You kids are more to us than a player and he exemplified that. He treated everybody more than just a player, he cared about you on and off the field.”

The new William “Tootie” Carter field will be dedicated Friday before kickoff. Man (1-0) takes on Mount View.

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