Current high school coach who died ‘belonged to all of southeastern KY.’

Hundreds of people were paying tribute Wednesday after the death of Bell County High School’s head wrestling coach, Ovie Canady, whose influence, one report said, “belonged to all of southeastern Kentucky.”

Bell County Deputy Coroner Donald Horton told the Herald-Leader Wednesday that Canady, 51, died just before 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Pineville Community Health Center after having “an undetermined medical emergency.”

“Ovie started the Bell Co. program and has had an enormous amount of success in a short time,” a Facebook post from the Kentucky Wrestling Coaches Association said.

Wtuk radio reported, “Southeastern Kentucky has lost one of its most respected coaches and educators.”

“In 2021, he joined Bell County Schools, where he became the school’s first-ever head wrestling coach while also serving as an assistant football coach and English teacher,” the radio station said. “This past season, he celebrated his 200th career wrestling victory, another milestone in a career dedicated to developing young people both on and off the field.”

“While Coach Canady wore the colors of several schools throughout his career, his influence belonged to all of southeastern Kentucky. He was admired not only for his knowledge of the game but for the character, leadership, and genuine care he showed every student-athlete who crossed his path,” the report said.

Bell County High School officials posted on Facebook Tuesday to honor Canady’s impact in youth sports.

“Coach Canady had been a faithful member of our staff since 2021 and was the first Head Coach of Bobcat Wrestling. He invested in countless young Bobcats each year and helped grow the program into what it is today. Coach Canady was also a decorated Football Coach throughout the region.”

School officials asked people to “keep Ovie’s family in their prayers in the coming days.”

John Henson, of Harlancountysports.com, reported that in Harlan County, Canady was a standout offensive guard on Evarts High Schools’ 1990 Class A regional championship team and was later the now-closed school’s last head football coach.

Canady coached football at Middlesboro, Evarts, Harlan County, Perry Central and Bell County high schools, Henson reported.

This story was originally published July 1, 2026 at 12:00 PM.