In this day and time most coaches do not stay at one school for longer than a few years for a variety of reasons both positive and negative. But that wasn't the case for Ron Watters when he moved to Randolph County in 1976 to become the offensive coordinator for the Randolph County Tigers under head coach Jimmy Champion.
"I figured I would stay here for a few years, but I met my wife here, fell in love and have been in Randolph County ever since," Watters said.
Watters became the head football coach after the 1978 season and remained at Randolph County for the next 22 years.
On March 22, he along with eight other major contributors to the high school sports community will be inducted as the 20th class of the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame.
"It is tough to get inducted into the Hall of Fame because it is open to so many people," Watters said. "And, it was a very humbling experience when I got the call from Steve Savarese (executive director of the Alabama High School Athletic Association)."
AHSAA member schools, Hall of Fame Committee member and district boards are the groups that nominate individuals for the Hall of Fame.
"Chuck Marcum (Superintendent of Roanoke City Schools) did a great amount of work on the nomination process," Watters said. "I would like to thank the people that have made everything for me possible. Hulond Humphries (former RCHS principal) and Hugh Lee Morris (former Randolph County School superintendent) took a chance on me in 1978 and I will always be appreciative to those two gentlemen for giving us the chance."
After Watters retired from Randolph County in 2001, he spent six years coaching in Georgia, which is where he started his career in 1970.
"I had fun when I went back to Georgia," he said. "I was an assistant coach under Tim Barron and got to work with a bunch of energetic coaches."
Watters returned to Randolph County coaching circles in 2007 but it was not to wear the blue and gold of the Tigers.
"I only work half days because I am technically retired... but I am doing what I love and it's on my terms," he said. "I am now the offensive coordinator and strength coach at Handley High School (in Roanoke) under Coach Mike Battles."
In his three seasons with the Handley Tigers, the team has compiled a record of 34-6 including three playoff runs and two region championships.
As a head coach Watters compiled a 152-96-0 record and taking his teams to the state title game on three different occasions.
In those 22 years his teams made the state playoffs 12 times with a 17-12 post-season record. 
His teams at Randolph County also won five region championships and six area titles. Six of his former players and assistant coaches become head coaches.
"I was fortunate to have special players that worked so hard to be what they were. And, I could never pick one team as my favorite over any other," Watters said.
When not coaching, Watters has a passion for hunting and spending time with family.

By Kelly Caldwell

Kelly Caldwell helped create Lake Wedowee Life in 2008 and remains the principal photographer as well as the main writer for the magazine. She has more than 10 years of journalism experience after graduating from Troy University in 2000. She grew up in Randolph County and has enjoyed spending time on Lake Wedowee.