Former Coalfield Head Football Coach Garry Kreis passed away Monday morning after battling brain cancer. Kreis starred as a wide receiver for the Vols in the late 1960’s before heading to Coalfield as an assistant coach. After spending 21 years as the head coach, he retired in 2008. But, the last few years were consumed with a battle with cancer. During the coach’s fight, former players and friends worked to honor Kreis for everything he did for Coalfield. One of Kreis’ former players is working with local and state officials to name a stretch of Highway 62 after Garry Kreis. A memorial fund was also set up before the coach’s death. “He was a great coach, and an even better man,” Jones said. “We have set up a memorial fund at all 5 area locations of Citizens bank to come up with funds to erect a statue in his honor in Coalfield.”