Ken Sparks impact was, and continues to be, felt well beyond the football field.
The legendary Carson-Newman football coach won 338 games, ranking fifth all-time (ahead of Bear Bryant). He led the Eagles to five NAIA national championships.
Those accomplishments were never the most important thing to Sparks. His goal was to prepare his players for life and change their lives through God.
As reactions pour in from the many lives Sparks touched, it's clear he accomplished his goal.
Farragut High School football coach Eddie Courtney:
"Coach Sparks, buddy, as you always called me, I appreciate 40 years of you being a mentor to me, being someone who I knew truly loved and cared about me, and a man that always made sure we tried to do things right, and tried to do things that would make an impact on others. My heart, you always asked me about my heart. My heart is mixed today, but my heart is very excited. Because I know the impact you've helped me make with others. I love you, and I'll always appreciate you. I hope that I can keep a legacy going of things we tried to start 40 years ago, of being called to be a coach and all the responsibilities that come with it. I love you, brother, and thank you so much."
Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes:
“First of all, I can’t express how incredibly thankful I am that I had the chance to really get to know and befriend Ken Sparks. The time we spent together was a blessing, and I always came away in awe of a man who was truly living for the Kingdom of the Lord.
“It’s sad to realize that, at least in this life, I don’t have any more opportunities to visit with and learn from him. But when I think about all the lives he impacted… and I think about the celebration taking place today in Heaven, it eases that sadness and evokes a sense of happiness that I was ever blessed to cross paths with such a great man.
“My sincere prayers go out to his wife, Carol, his family and everyone whose lives he touched.”
Mike Clowney, played and coached for Sparks at Carson-Newman:
"It takes a while but once you're in the program for a while, you learn that what you're really preparing for is life. And probably more so than life, what you're really preparing for is death. Because that's going to be our final game. I know coach Sparks is rejoicing right now. He is exactly where he wants to be. You put as much time and effort and energy into working and living life that he has and today's gameday for him. He gets to go out and play the game, he gets to see the results of his work and I'm ecstatic for him. I'm excited for coach Sparks."
Kevin Day, played center for Sparks:
"Coach Sparks was a solid rock. He was going to be the same human being every single day and he was going to say the exact same message every single day. If you go and talk to anybody who played football here and you ask them about coach Sparks, there always going to say something about 'how's your heart.' Time didn't change who he was or what he stood for."
Mike Turner, current Carson-Newman head coach, coached with Sparks:
"A guy that taught you, I think resiliency as a man, but I think more important, taught you how to be a man of reliance on the Lord. A man that taught you how to give up yourself because there was a greater good, a much greater good."
Butch Jones, Tennessee football coach:
“I’m very sad to hear of the passing of Coach Ken Sparks. Coach Sparks was a close friend to myself and our football program. I had followed Ken’s coaching career from afar and our friendship really began when he was one of the first people to call me when I was hired at UT. That phone call and our talks over the years mean the world to me. He was such a pillar in this community and was always willing to help.
I think anyone who had the opportunity to be around Ken Sparks would tell you what a special human being he was. His legacy extends way beyond the game of football. He touched so many lives off the field. The players he coached, he coached them to not only win football games, but to be successful in life. I spent some time with Ken a few weeks ago at his home and will always cherish that conversation.
We lost a legend today and our thoughts and prayers go out to Carol and his family. He will be missed but always admired.”
