Remembering Ernie Chatman: Florida Coaching Legend Passes Away At Age 66


The Florida athletic community lost a legend this past weekend with the passing of Hernando coach William "Ernie" Ernest Chatman Jr. Coach Chatman coached for over 40 years in Hernando County and was the HHS cross country for 28 years from (1981-2009), and serving as the track and field coach for five years. Over that time he has coached many of the Sunshine State's top runners including Ben and Drew Martucci (pictured above with Coach Chatman), as well as names like Paul (Jody) Spangler, Jason Heatherley, and Casey Isaacs and guided his cross country teams to two runner-up finished and a state title.

He also had a profound impact on not just the athletes he coached, but the coaches that he came in contact with including current FSU head coach Bob Braman who says Chatman had a great influence on him as a young coach and recounts a time in 1981, when Braman was green to the sport.

"In 1981 as a first-time coach at Tampa Catholic I had the good fortune/misfortune of being in the same District and Region of Ernie's Hernando High School team. We beat them handily on their home course at Regions and were ranked 3rd in the State, while Ernie's boys came in ranked 12th. At State Ernie's team ran with purpose+focus, my boys tried went for broke and the win. Hernando finished 3rd, while Tampa Catholic faded to 7th, and it wasn't close."

Braman asked Coach Chatman following the meet how they did it and he told him that he asked all the kids to just give their normal Monday workout effort, and they'd beat teams who would fail trying to do too much. It's a lesson Braman says he never forgot.

"I've adopted a similar big-race strategy for my whole career. I look back on that first year now and I remember thinking of him as a veteran coach, but he was only 30 years old. He was just inherently wise, a fantastic communicator and a relentless worker. Year after year I saw him often and spoke with him every cross country season, always listening and learning from him. And over the years Ernie always seemed to be that 30-year-old coach, he just never seemed to age to me. From the Heatherly brothers to the Martucci brothers and all the Jody Spanglers in between, a generation of young men are hurting today as the person who was the 2nd most important man in their lives is no longer here to guide them in their adult lives. We will all miss Ernie. He's touched so many of our lives in such a big way.

A True Passion For Running

Coach Chatman's true dedication for the sport of running and the athlete's he's coached over those 28 years is evident, but his passion for the sport is even greater. Chatman's streak of daily runs was one of the longest in the country, dating back to 1991, he ran for 24 years straight every morning, until on September 10th, that ended. He loved running. The coach recorded nearly 100 marathons in his lifetime, one in every state once, and four shy of creating that feat twice. Incredibly enough he ran under four hours for the 26.2 mile distance in every state except Hawaii, in which he came up just two minutes shy in 2006.

Coach Chatman embodies a true LEGEND of the sport, the drive, the passion, the attitude, and character in a coach and someone who embodies a role model for the athletes to look up to.

Here is what other members of the running community had to say about Coach Chatman:

Paul (Jody) Spangler: "We have lost a great person and someone who had a profound impact on many young lives, including my own. I am going to miss our talks about running and coaching. Coach Chatman you will be missed by all.

Dror Vaknin: "Ernie was an amazing man, transformed many young lives. The coaching world lost another great coach and mentor."

Dan Epstein: " Ernie you were such a great friend, coach, and mentor to so many. I enjoyed all those runs with you and all the good times at the marathons I traveled with you. I'm going ot miss you buddy as so many others will too."

Drew Martucci: "In shock over the loss of this incredible man. Just can't seem to wrap my head around this one. My heart and prayers go out to the entire Chatman family. Coach, you will always be a part of me and the entire community as the Legend you were. Rest in Peace Coach."

Owen Shott: "One of the greatest coaches in Florida history. It was an honor to learn from him and compete against his teams. I've never met a person more passionate about passing on the knowledge of the sport of running. My heart goes out to his friends and family."

Do you have a fond memory of Coach Chatman? We want to hear it.  From all of us at flrunners.com and the running community, our thoughts and prayers go out to Coach Chatman and his family at this tough time. He will be forever remembered across the state!