JACKSONVILLE, NC – Phil Padgett, an outstanding football coach and athletic director from Onslow County, succumbed to his battle with cancer on December 18th, 2020, at his home surrounded by family. He was initially diagnosed with cancer in 2012, but it went into remission before returning in 2020.
Padgett took over the head coaching position at Southwest Onslow in 1988 and built the Stallions into a perennial contender. He led teams at Southwest to four state championships, appearing in the NCHSAA finals on seven occasions, retiring in 2014 with a career record of 295-69.
In addition to his football duties, Padgett served as a basketball and golf coach while serving as an athletic director. He was named to the NCHSAA’s “100 Coaches to Remember” list during the NCHSAA’s Centennial Celebration in 2013 and won the Harvey Reid Male Coach of the Year award NCHSAA in 2014.
The family has announced plans for a memorial service to be held later at Philip T. Padgett Field at Stallion Stadium.
