By By Matthew Nascone
Carl Madison's success began in his high school days at Escambia County High School and his retirement a few years ago did not stop that success.
As one of the "Barnes Boys" Madison was the tailback in 1945-47 for legendary ECHS head football coach Herbert Barnes. During that three-year span the Blue Devils won 30 straight games. But Madison's legacy would be cemented on the sidelines, as he compiled a record of 326-139-7 as a head coach.
This record gained him recognition as one of 12 coaches named to the FHSAA All-Century team announced last week as part of a celebration of 100 years of high school football in Florida. He was present at the Class 5A state championship at Orlando's Citrus Bowl Dec. 14 where Bill Castle was named the Coach of the Century at halftime, but Madison said it was an honor to be selected.
"I hadn't even thought about the team, but I am proud to be a part of it," he said. "But I was more proud to be a part of all the teams I have coached. We had some great teams."
Madison was 291-97-6 in the state of Florida, with coaching stints in Georgia and Alabama along the way. He won five state championships in his career, three in Florida and two in Alabama. He won back-to-back championships while at Pine Forest in Florida in 1987 and '88 and while coaching the Jackson Academy Eagles in 2002 and '03. He won his first state title in 1980 as coach of Tate High School.
Fellow Atmore resident Floyd Adams had the opportunity to coach with Madison on two occasions. He was an assistant to Madison in 1960-62 at Milton High School and Tate High School from 1972-83.
He was part of the 1980 state championship team at Tate and he believes his former head coach deserves every bit of recognition he has received.
"Coaching with Carl was the best thing that happened to me professionally," Adams said. "He set the standard at Tate for all the other athletic programs. Everyone tried to win with the formula he had."
Adams said Madison was one of the greatest coaches ever.
"I think it is quite an honor for him to be nominated for this team," he said. "He was an outstanding influence on my life. I learned a lot from him and he is the best offensive coach I have ever seen at any level. His team's scored a lot of points."
Madison's coaching career began in 1957 at age 26 when he was named the coach of the Ernest Ward Eagles.
Madison was inducted into the inaugural class of the Atmore Area Hall of Fame in 2006. He resides in Atmore with his wife Grace.