By Megan Hecox
Father, husband, son, friend, Coach of the Year. These are just a few ways one could describe Coach Elmore. Billy Elmore was born in Barber, Arkansas 1972 to Don and Vadona Elmore. Billy spent his teenage years playing football, baseball, and basketball for the Mansfield Tigers in Mansfield, Arkansas. Billy went on to marry the love of his life, Suzanne Whittaker. The two have three beautiful daughters, Haley, Rylee, and Keely.
After high school, Billy Elmore studied one semester of Pre-Law at Arkansas Tech University before deciding on a coaching career. Coach Elmore graduated with a Bachelors in 1994. He would later go on to earn his Masters in Education Leadership from Harding in 2006. At the young age of 22, Billy Elmore spent a semester student teaching/coaching in Booneville, Arkansas under the guidance of Kenneth Ripey. Billy got his first coaching job as the Offensive Line Coordinator in Barton, Ar under legend Frank McClellan. Coach Elmore spent his time at Barton coaching Jr and Sr High football, girls basketball and was the Head Coach for baseball. Billy would spend between 1995-1997 as a Barton Bear.
Between 1997-2002, Coach Elmore wore many hats during his coaching career at Greenwood, Ar. He was the Defensive Coordinator for Bulldog football and was the head baseball coach. In 1999, Billy Elmore won the State Title for Bulldogs baseball and was Runner-Up in 2000. Also in 2000, Coach Elmore saw the Bulldogs to the 4A State Championship win under Coach Ronnie Peacock.
Billy Elmores first Head Coaching job came in 2002 when he started at Glen Rose in Malvern, Ar. During his run as a Beaver, Coach Elmore was awarded Hootens 3A Coach of the Year for his 2007/2008 football season. During the 2006 football season, the Beavers placed 2nd in their 3A conference and made it to the 2nd round of playoffs. That year, Coach Elmore had a 9-3 total season record. In 2007, the (14-1) Beavers won their first State Championship game in a 35-34 overtime win over Shiloh Christian. Coach Elmore ended his run as a Glen Rose Beaver in 2008.
Billy Elmore spent a little bit of time in Arkadelphia, Ar before securing the Head Coach and Athletics Director positions in Stuttgart, Ar from 2010-2014. During his time as a Ricebird, Coach Elmore had a 26-11 season record and earned his 2nd career State Championship win in 2012 for his game against Ozark. The Ricebirds went 13-1 in their 2012-2013 football season. Coach Billy Elmore is one of three active coaches to have won a State Championship Title at two different schools.
Since 2014, Coach Elmore has called West Memphis home. Used to coaching in 3A and 4A school districts, moving to a 6A school district hasn’t seemed to make any difference to this defense-minded coach. Replacing Lanny Dauksch after his 13-year run, Billy Elmore has made himself right at home in Blue Devil territory. Coach Elmore is only one of three head coaches that the Blue Devils have had in the last 34 years. In 2018, Coach Elmore went undefeated 7-0 in conference play and 11-1 in total season play even making it to the semi-finals against the Benton Panthers. He was awarded the 2018 6A East Coach of the Year and will go on to coach in the All-Star football game for the third time in his career. He has also coached in the All-Star Baseball games multiple times as well.
If his resume isn’t impressive enough already, Coach Elmore also adds master trainer for USA Football in their “Heads-Up” campaign. Over 75 Arkansas High School Football Coaches are already “Heads-Up” certified. To earn their certification, a coach is required to complete both classroom and field training to teach proper tackling drills and hitting techniques to minimize head and spinal injuries. By being a part of this wonderful program, Coach Elmore hopes to make the game safer, one player at a time.
Congratulations Coach Elmore for your magnificent achievements and impressive record during your coaching career. You have blessed many students, players, families, and other coaches along your path and many more whom you may not know. Thank you for selflessly taking care of others and being a role model that people can look up to. You have made your Alma Matter proud.
