Terry Ennis, a 1962 Everett High School graduate and a hall-of-fame high school football coach, died early this morning at University of Washington hospital of complications related to cancer. Ennis, who most recently coached at Archbishop Murphy High School in Everett, had been fighting prostate cancer since late 2002.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
Ennis is the state’s second-winningest prep football coach. Through two games this season, both victories, his career coaching record was 287-87 in 36 seasons. The only coach in Washington with more victories is Tumwater High’s Sid Otton, who is in his 40th season.
Ennis guided three teams to state championships: Cascade in 1991, and Archbishop Murphy in 2002 and 2003. He was elected to the Pacific Northwest Football Hall of Fame this year.
At a surprise ceremony in February, Archbishop Murphy officials named the school’s football facility Terry Ennis Stadium. About 750 people — including current and former players, coaches, friends and family members — showed up to honor Ennis.
“I’m rarely overwhelmed,” Ennis said at the ceremony, “and this is probably the most overwhelming day of my life, and I just thank everybody from the bottom of my heart.”
Ennis’ teams were famous for their discipline and conditioning, as well as their use of a successful Wing-T offense, which emphasized angle blocking and simple but effective running plays.
He is survived by his wife Fran, son Joe Ennis, daughters Jenny Leger and Amy Schaffler.
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