Longtime Alabama high school football coach and Hall of Famer Jimmy Perry died at age 68 on January 10 following a lengthy battle with cancer.
Coach Perry’s career spanned 44 years, during which he became a respected figure in Alabama football.
Perry served as head coach from 2012 until his retirement in 2023 at Montgomery’s Saint James School. He led the Trojans to their first-ever state football championship in 2022. In December 2025, the school announced plans to name its stadium in his honor.
He spent 18 years at Robert E. Lee High School, his alma mater (1982–2000), including five seasons as head coach.
He worked under Coach Tommy Tuberville at Auburn University, serving as the director of football operations and director of high school relations.
He coached the St. Paul Saints in Mobile from 2009 to 2012.
Perry was inducted into the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Hall of Fame in 2022. He finished his high school career with a total of 157 wins as a head coach.
Perry is survived by his wife of 47 years, Judy; his children, Jana and Danny; and his brother, Scott.
He passed away at his home in Dadeville, Alabama, surrounded by family.
A service will be held on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 2 p.m. at St. James School.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Jimmy Perry Memorial Foundation.
Jim Zig Zeigler is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. His beat includes the positive and colorful about Alabama – her people, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former State Auditor and Public Service Commissioner. You can reach him at [email protected]
