A legendary Hernando High School coach and teacher has passed away.
- Ernie Chatman died from complications surrounding a heart condition
- He had been a coach, mentor and teacher for 42 years
- His adult children, Bret and Erin, called him an inspiration and motivator
According to friends and family, Ernie Chatman, 66, passed away from heart complications.
“You don't really know what people go through until you experience it for yourself," said his son Bret Chatman. "It has been really tough."
Chatman was a huge part of the community. A teacher, a mentor and legendary coach for 42 years, he coached baseball, softball, basketball, track and cross country. On multiple occasions his teams played for state championships.
He didn’t just preach about the importance of physical fitness though, he believed it.
Last year Chatman ended a 24 year running streak. During that time he ran over 54,000 miles in 8,000 consecutive days. No surprise, he also ran marathons in all 50 states.
“The rain would stop,” said his daughter Erin Sullivan. “He would go run really quick just to get his run in. In the middle of a hurricane. The day after he passed away I know lots and lots of people ran an extra mile for him.”
Chatman spent most of his teaching and coaching years at his alma mater, Hernando High School. He himself had graduated from there in 1967.
“We are just blessed,” Sullivan said. “We are just honoring him as best as we can because he would tell us to get up, go for a run, get yourself together, move on and do good. Do the best you can do."