Coach Roy Kidd Legacy Page

EKU Football Legend Coach Roy Kidd Passes Away at 91

College football has lost one of its all-time legends, and Eastern Kentucky University one of its most beloved and accomplished sons. Roy Kidd passed away on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. He was 91 years old.

In lieu of flowers the family ask that donations be made in his honor to the Roy and Sue Kidd Endowed Scholarship at Eastern Kentucky University. Checks can be mailed to the EKU Foundation, CPO 19, 521 Lancaster Ave, Richmond, KY 40475. Online gifts can be made at go.eku.edu/Give-Kidd.

314 career wins. 2 national championships. 16 conference titles.

A project 2 years in the making, EKU Alumni Engagement is excited to release this Special Edition of the EKU Magazine honoring our beloved legend, EKU Football Coach Roy Kidd. For nearly four decades, Coach Kidd built a legacy of success for EKU Football, leading the Colonels to over 300 wins, including 37 non-losing seasons, 16 conference titles, and 2 national championships.

His career achievements earned him membership in the College Football Hall of Fame and most recently the 2023 Amos Alonzo Stagg Award. Despite numerous other awards and honors, many say Coach Kidd’s biggest impact was on his players, staff, the coaching profession, his alma mater, and the community.

The Coach Roy Kidd Special Edition EKU Magazine documents the countless accolades of Coach Kidd, including stories about his start in sports as a child, the beginnings of his coaching career for Madison-Model, career highlights as EKU Football's head coach, newspaper clips of classic EKU Football moments, and articles sharing fond memories from family, friends, and colleagues.

Every Story Has Its Start

Roy Kidd has a street named after him in Corbin, the town where his playing career began that ultimately led him to Eastern. Although Kidd made his mark in football, he could have been successful if he had chosen a different path than the one that led him to the gridiron.

Foundations for Success

Who could have predicted that the 1956 Madison-Model football team would go on to win its conference and remain unbeaten until a “bowl game” loss in its season finale? After all, its new coach took over just six days before the team’s first practice.

Grantland Rice Bowl

Roy Kidd took over an EKU program in the 1960s in need of a spark. In just his fourth season at the helm, the Colonels won the 1967 NCAA Mideast Region championship, kickstarting a decade of success that would include four straight national championship appearances.

The Game: EKU vs WKU

Notre Dame-Southern Cal, Michigan-Ohio State, Texas-Oklahoma, Alabama-Auburn, Eastern Kentucky-Western Kentucky. In the 60's and 70's, the EKU vs WKU football rivalry deserved to be mentioned among the nation's top gridiron battles. This in-state rivalry was reaching its peak in 1967.

The Greatest Teammate

Roy was a competitive all-sport athlete from Corbin, who excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. Sue was a champion majorette baton twirler whose performance was a combination of dance, movement, gymnastics, and grace at the front of the band in gyms and on football fields.

The Glory Years

For more than a decade starting in 1979, the best college football in the state of Kentucky was not played in Lexington or Louisville. It was played in Richmond at Eastern Kentucky University. It was a magical time, and a lot of the credit has to go to Coach Roy Kidd.

Browse the full version of the Coach Kidd Magazine by clicking below.

Web Exclusive Content

Enjoy additional bonus content that's not in the print issue of the magazine! Watch game footage from EKU's biggest victories, take a trip down memory lane with an exclusive Coach Kidd interview from 2009, learn about the iconic Cabin on the Hill celebration, browse archived press guides and game programs, and don't forget to check out our Coach Kidd photo gallery. You can also request your own physical copy of the Magazine.

Coach Roy Kidd Photo Album

Coach Roy Kidd built a legacy of success for EKU Football over 40 years long. Check out this collection of photos celebrating Coach Kidd's long and illustrious career.

Game Footage and Highlights

Watch clips from the 1979 championship, the entire broadcast of the 1982 championship, highlights from the 1957 Madison-Model championship win, and more.

Cabin on the Hill

For more than 50 years, EKU Football has celebrated each victory with its own rendition of Cabin on the Hill, a country tune made famous by Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs.

Sports Media Guides

Browse a collection of sports media guides, football factbooks, and game programs from the Roy Kidd era. These pieces of EKU Football history are made possible thanks to our friends in EKU Archives.

Then & Now: Roy Kidd Interview

EKU Then and Now host Paul Blanchard discusses EKU football with Hall of Fame coach Roy Kidd. Paul is joined by special guest interviewer President Doug Whitlock.

Request Your Magazine

Own a piece of EKU Football history by requesting your copy of the Coach Roy Kidd Special Edition Magazine! This one of a kind collection of stories and photos is a must-have for any true Colonel fan.