Gilmore Brannon

Gilmore Brannon’s favorite slogan was, “A good day today.” His college coach Hal Self used the quote at the beginning of each football practice. Gilmore later took it for his own.

He was an All-American football player at Albertville High School. The late John Thomas, one of the all-time great Aggie backs and a backfield teammate of Brannon’s was once quoted as saying, “I would definitely say he was one of the best to ever come through Albertville.” Robert O. Johnson, a photographer in Albertville since 1949, said, “I would be hard pressed to think of anyone that was any better.”

In 1960, following graduation from Albertville, Brannon signed a scholarship to play football at Auburn, but later transferred to Florence State Teachers College. He was offered $10,000 to sign with the White Sox to play baseball. Gilmore decided to play college football instead.

This Aggie, who lettered in all sports, went on to coach high school football for 30 years, the last four at Douglas, including the Eagles first winning season in 12 years. His best squad was at Rogers, making it all the way to the state championship game in 1989. His team went 12-3 and finished as the state runner-up. For his efforts, Brannon was named 3A-4A Coach of the Year.

Gilmore suffered a fatal heart attack at age 55, but his memory is alive through “A Good Day Today” annual scholarship to a deserving athlete at Albertville High School. Sand Mountain Reporter sports editor and Marshall County Sports Hall of Fame President Shannon Allen wrote, “I’m thankful death has no hold on memories, and what wonderful memories those who know coach have.”