John Larry Harbin

Coach Larry Harbin passed away on Saturday, December 4, 2021 in Birmingham, Alabama surrounded by his loving family. He was born on February 24, 1943 in Wilsonville, Alabama to John and Margie Harbin. Larry was preceded in death by his loving wife, Kathy Harbin and his parents, John and Margie Harbin of Winfield, Alabama. Larry is survived by his sister Judy (Kelley) Riley of Birmingham, AL, his daughters Julie (Bryan) Schach and Allison (Carl) Cummings of Birmingham, Alabama and stepsons Jason (Heather) Hyche of Huntsville, Alabama and Bradley Hyche of Birmingham, Alabama. Grandchildren Ava and Jackson Schach; Charlotte, Wade, and Brooke Cummings; Brodie, Bryson, Benjamin, and Blakely Hyche as well as many cousins, nieces, dear friends, fellow coaches, students and players.

Harbin was raised in Winfield, Alabama and attended Winfield High School where he played football, basketball and baseball. After graduating in 1961, he joined the Army National Guard and continued his education at Florence State University and finished with a degree in Business Administration from Livingston University in 1966. He returned home in 1966 as the assistant coach for the varsity basketball team at Winfield High School and taught physical education at the elementary school until 1969. After a short stint in business, he decided to follow his passion for education and coaching and obtained a teaching certificate in 1972. He joined the faculty at W.A. Berry High School (now Hoover High School) in 1973. He coached varsity basketball and the offensive line on the football team while teaching typing. In 1977, he was awarded a Master’s Degree in education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Coach positively influenced countless coaches, athletes and students over the course of his 45 year career. His coaching legacy includes Winfield High School (men’s freshman/junior varsity basketball and freshman football), W. A. Berry High School (men’s varsity basketball and varsity football), McAdory High School (varsity men’s basketball and football), Shades Valley High School (varsity men’s basketball and football) and John Carroll Catholic High School (varsity women’s basketball, varsity men’s basketball, football, and men’s golf). In total, Coach Harbin had over 500 wins on the basketball court and was a part of the creation, organization and development of the Big Orange Classic, Sting Classic, Cavalier Classic and Catholic Tip Off. Awards included the Working Coach of the Year in 1979 and 1990; Jefferson County Coach of the Year in 1976, 1985, 1986; Over-The-Mountain Journal Coach of the Year in 1981 and 1988 and the McRae’s Sports Life Award in 1993.

Off the court, Larry enjoyed being a grandfather. “Paw” loved living the semi-country life on his property in McCalla, sitting on the back porch with family and friends reminiscing. He adored passing the time riding his tractor or letting the grandkids drive his truck in the yard while they rode in his lap. He enjoyed listening to sports talk radio, eating good seafood and spending time at Orange Beach with family and friends.

The Celebration of Life will be at The Baptist Church at McAdory on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 with visitation from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. The Celebration of Life service will immediately follow at noon. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to the Parkinson’s Association of Alabama (https://www.parkinsonalabama.com/) in the memory of Larry Harbin or The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (https://www.komen.org/community/alabama/) in the memory of Kathy Harbin.