Longtime Villages High School head football coach Richard Pettus has been selected as part of the Florida Athletic Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame Class of 2026, the organization announced this week.

Pettus is a Tennessee native who has spent more than three decades coaching in Florida. He joins Todd Fitz-Gerald (Stoneman Douglas), Toby Harbeck (Benjamin), Vicky King (Land O’ Lakes), Scott Klees (Wakulla), Matt Morris (Bolles), and Robbie Zimmerman (Leon) in the upcoming enshrinement.

(Richard Pettus has coached The Villages for the past 24 years. Photo Credit – Joe Ott Photography Fan Zone.)

Pettus has spent 24 years at The Villages Charter School and is preparing to begin his 35th season as a head coach overall. Over that span, he’s built a reputation not only for winning but for mentoring student-athletes and fostering a strong program culture.

“I’m incredibly honored to be selected into the FACA Hall of Fame,” Pettus said in a recent interview with VHS Buffalo Athletics, which you can read here. “This honor is the result of the love and support of my family, the dedication of my assistant coaches over the years, and, most importantly, the players who’ve made this journey so meaningful. I’m also grateful to our school administration, the Morse family, my former coaches, and especially my father, Earl, who has been the biggest inspiration in my life.”

(Coach Pettus talks to his team during a game against Wildwood Middle High last year.)

Pettus and the rest of the 2026 class will be formally inducted during a banquet on Jan. 10, 2026, in Lake Buena Vista.

Many people many not know that Richard Pettus flipped the light switch on at the original Villages High School for the football team. He’s been there every step of the way even as the team transitioned to their new stadium and new school. So many great athletes have already come through The Villages football program including most recently Mac Harris who plays for USF and Jonathan Harding who is now playing for Memphis.

Congratulations to Coach Pettus!