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Former Paladin coach Dick Sheridan named to SC Football Hall of Fame

Dick Sheridan, former Furman Paladins Football head coach.

Last updated February 13, 2017

By News administrator

Former Furman coaching great Dick Sheridan has been selected for induction into the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame (SCFHOF).

Sheridan, a successful high school coach who made his biggest mark as a head coach at Furman, where he guided the Paladins to six Southern Conference championships and national runner-up finish in an eight-year span (1978-85), is among a group of five standouts who be enshrined in ceremonies set for April 20 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Greenville. Others include legacy inductee Felix “Doc” Blanchard, Charles “Charlie” Brown, Fisher DeBerry, and Levon Kirkland.

In addition to enshrinement of this year’s class, the SCFHOF will recognize recipients of its 2016 Humanitarian Award and Collegiate Player of the Year Award, presented by Hale’s Jewelers.

Sheridan, an Augusta, Ga., native who played football under Cally Gault at North Augusta High School, graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1964 and later enjoyed success as a head coach at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School before coming to Furman in 1973 under Paladin mentor Art Baker.  He succeeded Baker as head coach in 1978 and led Furman to a SoCon football championship — the first of six league titles that established Paladin football as one of the nation’s finest NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) programs.

In eight seasons he posted a 69-23-2 record and coached Furman to three playoff appearances, including a national runner-up finish in 1985, for which he garnered AFCA National Coach of the Year honors. In addition, Sheridan’s Paladin teams reeled off consecutive victories over South Carolina (1982), Georgia Tech (1983), and North Carolina State (1984 & `85).

A seven-year heading tenure followed at North Carolina State, where he earned 1986 Atlantic Coast Conference and Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year honors on the way to compiling a 52-29-3 mark and leading the Wolfpack to six bowl games.

Sheridan’s direct influence continues in Furman’s program as newly appointed head coach Clay Hendrix played for Sheridan from 1982-85, as did former Paladin mentors Bruce Fowler (2011-16) and Bobby Lamb (2002-10).  Furman head coaches Bobby Johnson (1994-01) and Jimmy Satterfield (1986-93) both coached alongside — and for — Sheridan for many years before later assuming Paladin head coaching duties.

The SCFHOF honors athletes, coaches, business, and media professionals from the Palmetto State, past and present, who created a historic and significant impact on college and/or professional football and helps promote and preserve the game of football and those who play it.

Hunter Reid, Furman Sports Information

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