Gus Purcell developed a reputation as one of the state’s most innovative head football coaches and a developer of outstanding quarterbacks. A graduate of Laurinburg High School and a 1950 graduate of the University of North Carolina, Purcell compiled a brilliant mark as a head football coach. He made his mark primarily at Myers Park High in Charlotte, where he was head coach from 1952 through 1971. He coached four prep all-American quarterbacks during that stretch and was founder of one of the first successful “quarterback schools,” which is still in operation today. He was the head coach for the North Carolina team in the 1960 Shrine Bowl and also coached in the East-West all-star game in Greensboro in1959.