Harold Bentley

Harold Thomas “Pistol” Bentley, No. 55, started playing varsity football as an Arab eighth grader for Marshall County Hall of Fame coach Bemon Lyon. Young Harold followed in the footsteps of his older brother Wendell “Shotgun” Bentley.

According to Coach Lyon, “Wendell was so fast off the line, he looks like you shot him out of a shotgun.” When the coaches saw Harold they said, “Here comes Shotgun’s little brother; he must be a pistol.” Coach Lyon retired after the 1949 season and Coach Tom Meharg coached Bentley his senior season in 1950. Bentley was captain of the team and president of the senior class.

Coaches Don Salls and “Dirty” Wedgeworth at Jacksonville State obtained the services of the outstanding lineman for the next four years. The youngster from Arab was a four-year first-stringer. During his senior year in 1954, Bentley was president of the J Club and team co-captain with Albertville’s Paul Thompson. Among his Gamecock teammates were future high school coaches Virgil Holder, G.B. Beasley and Lyle Darnell.

Coach Bentley came home to Arab High School as an assistant coach in 1955. He assisted legendary coach Earl Webb for seven years, and his defensive lines were an important part of the 45-23-2 record. During this time, Bentley coached the junior high basketball team, winning a county championship and taking second place three times. He coached junior high football for two years and won the county championship both years. Webb left for Decatur and Bentley was elevated to head coach in 1962. Three years later, Bentley ended 10 years of varsity coaching. His head coaching record was 12-14-2. Bentley taught one year at Grassy. He coached football and basketball at Arab Jr. High from 1966 until 1972. His record at the junior high as football coach was 48-8 over that seven-year period, with the last two years undefeated.

The coach retired from teaching in 1972 and entered the construction business with his son-in-law, Gary Beam. Ole 55 had a great love for horses, and he worked to have the best in the world.

His first number was 55. He wore it all the way through high school. He also wore 55 in college. Each time one of his horses won a championship, the rider had number 55 on his back. In 1975, his racking horse “Bentley’s Ace” won the World’s Grand Championship with the number 55.

When Bentley suffered a near fatal heart attack a few years back, the number appeared again. As he was being carried into his hospital room, he looked up and saw the room number was 55. He told his wife, “Momma, we’re going to be all right.” He survived the attack and surgery, living many more years until passing away in August 2003.

Bentley was a past president of both the North Alabama Racking Horse Association and Shelbyville Classic Horse Show. He served as an Arab city councilman and Arab Recreation Department coach.

Marshall County Judge Howard Hawk said of Coach Bentley, “In addition to his being a true athlete and a great coach, he has been a friend, mentor and fine role model for many, many young people in the Arab area. That group certainly includes me.”

Longtime Arab High School band director Wayne Washam said, “Most important was Harold’s love of all students and the positive effect he had on their lives.”

From 1946 until 2005, the number 55 has always been “Pistol” Bentley’s. His induction class brings the Marshall County Hall of Fame membership to 55!