Jake Linville (Deshler High)
died between 4-5 p.m., Sunday in a barn behind his parent's home in Collinwood, Tenn., according to the TimesDaily story.
A family friend told AL.com news partner WHNT News 19 that Linville's death may have been the result of an accident.
“There is no (suicide) note or anything,” Larry Moore told WHNT.
RELATED: Players mourn loss of Linville
Linville was in his first season as the Tigers' head coach. He took over the Deshler program following the offsason resignation of longtime coach John Mothershed. Linville, who had been with the program since 2010, was previously an assistant at Wilson (2007-09) and Russellville (2005-07).
"We are so saddened at this time," Deshler Principal Donny Davis wrote in an e-mail this morning. "We are just trying to get through the day with our kids. It is just a tough situation, but please keep the Linvilles in your prayers."
RELATED: Michael Statom named Deshler's interim coach
"Today is a sad day for our Tuscumbia Cit y Schools family," Superintendent Mary Kate Smith wrote in an email to AL.com. "We mourn the loss of Coach Jake Linville. Jake was an excellent teacher, coach, mentor and friend to so many. We are providing counseling services for our students today and will continue as long as there is a need. We want to thank our community for its love and support.As usual, our community support is strong and will sustain us during this difficult time. We certainly want to remember Jake's wife, Kim and daughters Logan and Avery. We will meet with the football players this afternoon and plan for the rest of this week and the remainder of the season."
RELATED: Funeral arrangements set for Linville
Smith said that Deshler will play its scheduled game at Rogers on Friday night.
"The highest compliment I can pay a coach is to say I was proud that my son played for him," said Dr. Mark McIlwain, Deshler's team doctor since 1992 and a member of the Tuscumbia City Schools Board of Education. "Joe, my 19-year-old, played for coach Jake Linville and I credit his college success to the solid foundation that Deshler is known for. Jake was an important part of that foundation."
READ THE COMPLETE TIMESDAILY REPORT
Linville attended Collinwood High and went on to earn his bachelor's degree in physical education and history education at Memphis, according to his teacher page on Deshler's website. He played defensive back at Memphis and lettered from 1991-93.
Deshler (7-1) defeated Brooks 40-14 on Friday night, the seventh straight victory for the Tigers and Linville. The victory clinched the Class 4A, Region 8 title.
Updated at 5:15 p.m., Oct. 21, 2014 with link on Statom being named interim coach
Updated at 11:30 a.m., Oct. 21, 2014 with link to funeral arrangements, and new expected time of interim coach being named
Updated at 8:45 a.m., Oct. 21, 2014 to reflect that an interim coach has still not been announced
Updated at 4:08 p.m., Oct. 20, 2014 to include that Linville played football at Memphis
Updated at 3:30 p.m., Oct. 20, 2014 with updated time of interim coach having not been named
Updated at 2:50 p.m., Oct. 20, 2014 with comment from Mark McIlwain
Updated at 12:05 p.m., Oct. 20, 2014 with comment and info from Mary Kate Smith
Updated at 11:20 a.m., Oct. 20, 2014 with comment from Larry Moore
Ad Choices