Coach Jim Bellamy

     It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Coach Jim Bellamy.  Coach Bellamy passed away Monday morning at the age of 83.  Coach Bellamy leaves behind a history of Mustang football memories for the community and those who coached and played for him.  Coach Bellamy always preached the fundamentals of the game and the toughness that came along with it.  He believed in a strong running game and a great defense that accompanied it.  

     Coach Bellamy was the head football coach at Mount Vernon for 37 years compiling a record of 268-93-1 a 74% win record.  During his time at Mount Vernon Coach Bellamy took the Mustangs to 20 play-off appearances.  Coach Bellamy's team won the state title three times, 1974, 1993 and 1994.  His team was a state runner-up five times and was a participant in the state semi-finals 3 times.  

Coach Bellamy was a head coach for 47 years with stops at Shaller, Perry, and West Liberty before ending his head coaching career at Mount Vernon.  Coach Bellamy ended his head coaching career with a record of 320-127-4.

"When I was a young coach, Coach Bellamy allowed me to come to Mount Vernon to learn more about the 5-2 defense.  After an afternoon of intense learning, I learned to appreciate the knowledge this hall of fame coach had on the game of football.  I am a better coach today because of Coach Bellamy giving up his time for me.  I am honored to coach football at Mount Vernon and I am very aware that Mount Vernon Football's great tradition starts with Coach Bellamy.  My goal has always been to carry on the tradition he started in 1970 and continued to 2006," Head Coach Lance Pedersen.

I learned a lot from all the wonderful teachers I had growing up in Mt. Vernon, but none more so than from playing football under Coach Jim Bellamy.  He was a perfectionist and a master at getting the most out of all of his players, regardless of their athletic ability.  His immense knowledge of the game and the high expectations he instilled prepared us well not only for football but for life after.  The lessons I learned from Coach Bellamy--preparation, attention to detail, and giving maximum effort--all matter if you want to be successful no matter what you do.  He was a great man with a seemingly gruff demeanor but a very caring heart to those who knew him well.  It was an honor playing for him and to call him our Coach.  He will be greatly missed. Lance Schoff 83' Current Assistant Football Coach