Conway’s Jordan counting lives touched more than games won

Though never accused of being overly outspoken, one thing those who have come across longtime Conway football coach Chuck Jordan can rely on – what he believes to be the truth.

Some will agree, and others not so much, but Jordan has no problem offering his opinion when asked.

Even when it comes to his 270 coaching victories, good enough for 11th in the S.C. High School League’s Palmetto’s Finest record book. During his tenure, Conway has earned several region titles and a berth in four football state title games.

“Honestly, I rarely think about it,” Jordan said. “I’m usually busy trying to get to the next day, the next game, the next season. Guess it is something I’ll think about once (my coaching career) is all said and done.”

Certainly, the thrill of victory is the chief goal of those participating in any sport. But surprisingly, that is not what drives him.

“If you’re good enough, people will talk about you,” the Conway coach said earlier this summer to his players in a huddle following practice. “I have 200 victories as a coach. So friggin’ what. Is winning so important? Yes and no. Winning is important when you know the definition ... it’s human nature.

“When it grinds down to it, winning is all vanity unless you have a greater purpose.”

Like most others throughout the state of South Carolina, Conway players know and understand Jordan’s place in history. In fact, many players on the current Tigers roster had relatives who played for him.

Among them is star quarterback Peyton Derrick, whose football lineage has been enriched under the tutelage of the longtime Conway coach.

“Because of him, there is this big tradition that is Conway football,” Derrick said. “But you can tell he doesn’t coach for the records or the titles. He has a deeper meaning to it all, and it is not just about being a good player on the field. But being a better man off of it.”

But it is through Jordan’s football acumen that has allowed him to connect with young men for more than 30 years. Even more so, his ability to adapt to the environment around him.

“(Jordan) should have thrown it more (when I was playing),” joked Myrtle Beach football coach Mickey Wilson during the CNB Kickoff Classic luncheon. “Back then, it was ‘Ground Chuck,’” referring to Jordan being committed to his teams possessing a power running game.

One would not be able to tell that these days. Last season, the Tigers averaged 391 yards per game, and Derrick – who has committed to Appalachian State – completed 183 passes for 2,650 yards and 30 touchdowns.

“I went from ‘Ground Chuck’ to ‘Air Jordan,’” the longtime Conway coach said. “But sometimes you have to adapt to what is going on around you. The way the game is played is much different from the way it was back when I first started coaching. Some coaches don’t want to necessarily stray away from a power running game, and there is nothing wrong with that.

“But sometimes change is a good thing, and for us it has been good.”

Sooner or later, there may be another shift in how the game is played. Whether Jordan will still be roaming the sidelines for it is anyone’s guess.

But one thing the Conway head man isn’t doing is ruling it out.

“Who knows?” Jordan said. “I’m just enjoying the chance to coach and mold young lives.”

This story was originally published August 25, 2016 at 7:29 PM with the headline "Conway’s Jordan counting lives touched more than games won."