Bob Buchanan
On December 26, 2020, Abingdon High School lost an icon when former Falcons head football coach Bob Buchanan passed away.
Bob was born in Florida on November 20, 1944, to Robert Franklin and Ada Lillian Wright Buchanan. In 1950, Bob and his brother, Bill, moved with their parents to Damascus, Virginia.
Growing up in Damascus, Bob excelled as a scholar athlete. In his senior year, he was class president, captain of the football team, first lieutenant in the band, and selected best all around for his senior superlative. A music lover, Bob participated in all-state chorus and played with the marching band during football halftime performances.
Bob received an athletic scholarship to Virginia Tech and later transferred to Emory & Henry College, majoring in English. In the fall of 1968, he was offered coaching and teaching positions in Bristol Virginia Public Schools. It was during this time that he finished his degree from Emory & Henry. Bob’s teaching career transitioned to Abingdon High School (AHS), where his enthusiasm for sports and passion to help students succeed were mirrored in his duties as a math instructor, particularly on behalf of those who thought they disliked math. Bob’s unique teaching style applied to learners at all levels, and many of his students went on to be successful in advanced math courses.
The Abingdon High School football team takes a knee around coach Buchanan (standing left) and his staff.
In 1976, after serving in assistant coaching roles for the Falcons’ football, baseball and basketball programs, Bob was named head football coach at AHS. Although he was head coach for just four years, he still holds the highest winning percentage of any Falcons football coach in the 63-year history of the school. In 1979, Bob’s last year at the helm of the program, the Falcons advanced to the VHSL state semifinals.
Bob continued to teach at AHS while also serving as an assistant coach at Emory & Henry in 1980. Despite stepping down from coaching two years later due to health reasons, Bob continued instructing at AHS before serving as an assistant principal at E.B. Stanley Middle School until his retirement.
Bob was proud of his teams’ success, but he was most proud of the relationships he built with his players. A tough — but fair — coach, Bob brought out the best in everyone he met, whether on the ballfield or in the classroom. His deep concern for the wellbeing and future of each student and athlete, especially those experiencing difficult times, was evident. Bob’s players often credited him for his ability to unite the football team and the entire Abingdon community. Because of his tremendous influence, many players remained in touch long after graduation, continuing to seek his wisdom and advice.
Longtime Bristol Herald Courier reporter Gene "Pappy" Thompson (L) presents Bob Buchanan (R) with the Coach of the Year award.
Devoted to family and community, Bob and his wife for more than 50 years, Ronda, raised their daughter, Niki, by their shared standards. Their shared pride and dedication to their grandchildren were always shining. The family was active in their home church, Damascus United Methodist, where Bob served many years as treasurer. He was also a member of the church’s board of trustees, where his expertise and opinions were highly valued.
For these many reasons, a group of former AHS athletes, students and colleagues have started the Bob Buchanan Legacy of Excellence Scholarship. The first award will be given in the spring of 2023 to an AHS senior who is in good academic standing and embodies Bob’s many traits: integrity, fortitude, selflessness, passion, compassion and humility.
In addition, this group will recognize two former AHS educators with the Bob Buchanan Legacy of Excellence Award. Beginning in 2024, this honor will be presented each year to individuals who exemplify the same attributes as Bob and have positively impacted and inspired many students throughout their careers.
Bob Buchanan as a player at
Emory & Henry College.
There is no single attribute that makes someone a great coach. It can be technique, training, knowledge, application, or a natural talent for cultivating abilities in players to get results. Coach Buchanan possessed all of those qualities. He took coaching seriously and pushed us to be our best. Coach Buchanan taught us how to focus and to be perceptive, but also to be respectful of our coaches, our teammates, and our opponents, win or lose.
At the end of my junior year, I was quoted as having an ambition of becoming a lawyer and eventually a judge. Thirty-three plus years later, Coach Buchanan attended my judicial investiture as a special guest. It was my small way of thanking him for cultivating the qualities that allowed me not only to set those goals but to achieve them.
In quoting Michael Josephson, “A good coach improves your game, but a great coach improves your life.”