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John Mullinax, former Tellico Plains and McMinn County head football coach, has died at age 75

Longtime head football coach, John Mullinax passed away on Sunday morning at his home. Mullinax was diagnosed with lung caner in the fall of 2015.

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Longtime McMinn County and Tellico Plains head football coach John Mullinax passed away Sunday morning in his home.

He was 75.

Mullinax was diagnosed with lung cancer in the fall of 2015 and underwent chemotherapy and radiation.

So thankful I knew this man!

McMinn Co coaching legend John Mullinax touched so many lives on and off the field.

He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2015 and passed away peacefully this am.

My love and prayers to Joy, John, Josh, Kacey, other family and friends. ❤️@wbir pic.twitter.com/dvErrElNla
— Beth Haynes (@wbirbeth) August 1, 2021

Coach Mullinax spent 44 years coaching high school football and finished his coaching career at Tellico Plains after coaching more than 400 games.

Mullinax spent 26 years at McMinn County, and was the head football coach for 19 of those years.

RELATED: Tellico Plains football team inspired by coach with cancer

The former Tellico Plains and McMinn County coach, John Mullinax, was a true role model, mentor, man of character and friend.

Our prayers are with Ms. Joy & Josh, family members, former players, and the Tellico Plains and Athens communities.

You will be missed.
— McMinn Central Basketball (@central_mcminn) August 1, 2021

The visitation will be at Smith Funeral & Cremation Service of Athens (1010 S. White Street Athens, TN. 37303) on Thursday, August 5th, 2021 from 4:00pm - 8:00pm and a second visitation will be on Friday, August 6th, 2021 from 11:00am - 2:00pm. The service will follow Friday's visitation.