Students and faculty lined the sidewalk outside of WS Neal High School on Tuesday to wish safe travels to head football coach Hugh Fountain and his family as he begins treatment for cancer.

The Fountain family is heading to Houston, Texas, for treatments for cancer at the world famous MD Anderson Clinic.

“In a powerful moment, the sun shone brightly over our students and our school, reminding us that hope and strength are always with us,” WS Neal High School shared via social media. “After the send-off, students gathered in the volleyball gym, where Mrs. Brandie Roe, our FCA sponsor, led a heartfelt prayer for Coach Fountain. We stand united as an Eagle family, lifting him up in support every step of the way. We love you, Coach.” 

Fountain previously battled – and beat – a cancer diagnosis in 2023. After losing a considerable amount of weight suddenly, a kidney scan revealed a mass on Fountain’s kidney. Surgery was performed to remove the mass and keep the cancer from spreading at that time. 

Fountain is a longtime veteran football coach in the State of Alabama, having spent 16 years as head football coach at Charles Henderson High School in Troy. Fountain led the Trojans to an 106-67 record during his tenure, including two 10-win seasons. That tenure also included a 12-1 team in 2007. 

The Brewton native also coached at Escambia Academy for 11 years, winning two state championships there. Fountain was a star player at WS Neal and went on to play on the offensive line at Troy (State) University. His first coaching stint at his high school alma mater came in the 1990s, leading WS Neal to a 49-29 record in seven years. Fountain briefly returned to Troy in 2022, accepting the head coaching job at Pike Liberal Arts, before returning to his high school alma mater. 

Fountain’s impact on the Troy community is clearly still felt as a number of Troy residents and Charles Henderson graduates expressed their well wishes to Fountain via social media. Current Pike Lib head football coach William Moguel expressed his well wishes, as did former CHHS softball star Clair Goodson, who currently coaches softball at Enterprise State Community College.

“Prayers for Coach Fountain and his family,” Goodson said. “One of our own from CHHS.”

Troy native Makaliea LaRee Wingard also wished Fountain well.

“Praying for Coach Fountain,” LaRee said. “A great man and great coach. Trojan Family stands with W.S. Neal in prayer.”

Charles Henderson assistant football coach Marcus Jones also expressed his well wishes to Fountain, as did Debbie Smartt, the wife of longtime Troy Baseball coach Mark Smartt and mother of current CHHS head baseball coach Chase Smartt.