Hugh OShields

Hugh "Pea Soup" OShields was born in DeKalb County, Alabama in 1927. He attended high school at Geraldine where he was a star on the football field. After graduating from high school, OShields served his country during World War II in Europe. He attended Jacksonville State University on a football scholarship and graduated with B.A and Masters degrees. OShields played football for the Gamecocks three seasons (1948-50). He picked up his nickname during his high school football playing days at Geraldine. In 1951 he became the head coach at Cleveland where he remained for 14 seasons. He would move over to the head coaching position at Oneonta in 1966. His 17 teams at Oneonta finished every season under his leadership with a winning record. His 1971 and 1972 teams won state championships while his 1978 squad finished as runner-ups. His teams won five area titles in his last seven seasons as the head coach. He coached five unbeaten teams during his career. OShields would retire in 1984 at the age of 56. He was named coach of the year three times. Beginning in 1970 his Oneonta team enjoyed a 34 game unbeaten streak before losing in 1973. OShields also coached basketball and track at both schools during his tenure. He is an inductee into the Jacksonville State University Sports Hall of Fame and the Blount and DeKalb County Sports Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Alabama High School Athletic Associations Hall of Fame in 1992. Coach Hugh OShields passed away Sunday, January 7, 2007.