Pearl Combs became a mountain and state legend because of his successful basketball coaching career.  He won 760 high school games including the state's title in 1943, the state runner-up title in 1939 and a fourth place state tournament finish in 1952.         

The 36 years Peal Combs devoted to coaching Hindman High School boys may be a record for time spent coaching at one high school in the state of Kentucky.

Combs coached 38 years total, a record which according to one source, "is exceeded only Coach Rupp and possibly the late coach Diddle."  Combs' first two years as coach were at Vicco, 1933-1935, and his first year he won two games, lost 23. Combs' overall win/loss record was 760/320.

Combs became one of the most respected and feared coaches in the state's history.  He was noted for his love and concern of his players and people in his community, as well as a great sense of humor. Combs said he had a lot of chuckles out of coaching, but one of   fondest memories came when he and Clark County's Letcher Norton were coaching the East in the annual East-West high school all-star game in Memorial Coliseum.                                                          

"Coach Rupp of Kentucky was there watching us work the boys out  and he said, "Sit down and talk to me a while when you get a minute,' and Letcher and I talked with a while.  He said, "How much do they pay you fellows for coaching  those high school teams?' and Letcher  said he got $7,200 or something like that.  I said I got less than $200. Rupp looked at me and shook his head.  "Combs, you ought to have been a missionary,' he laughed he may have been right, too."           

Pearl, a natural athlete, played football and basketball as a freshman at Eastern Kentucky Teachers College.  He transferred to Morehead where he graduated.  He played football three years at Morehead.       

Pearl taught mathematics.  Following his retirement he served as the judge protem- under County Judge Executive foster "Tubby" Calhoun, a member of his 1943 state championship team.  Pearl was born August 8, 1908 in Vest.  He died November 16, 1983.                           

Corbett Mullins
May 21, 2003