For many years, when someone thought of Brooke County, they probably also thought of Paul “Bud” Billiard.
During a 23-year coaching career, he guided the Brooke Bruins football team to 185 wins, with 15 playoff appearances, three Class AAA state championships and seven OVAC championships, earning attention from not just the Ohio Valley or even the state, but also other parts of the country.
He also spent six years coaching wrestling at the school in addition to his role as a teacher.
For his success on the field, he was honored with the H.V. Corcoran Sr. Award, named West Virginia Coach of the Year, Upper Ohio Valley Dapper Dan Man of the Year and was inducted into multiple halls of fame.
For many years, when someone thought of Brooke County, they probably also thought of Paul “Bud” Billiard.
Over a 23-year coaching career, he guided the Brooke Bruins football team to 185 wins, with 15 playoff appearances, three Class AAA state championships and seven OVAC championships, bringing attention from not just the Ohio Valley or even the state, but also other parts of the country.
He also spent six years coaching wrestling at the school in addition to his role as a teacher.
For his success on the field, he was honored with the H.V. Corcoran Sr. Award, named West Virginia Coach of the Year, Upper Ohio Valley Dapper Dan Man of the Year and was inducted into multiple halls of fame.
Billiard
WELLSBURG Paul “Bud” Billiard will be remembered by many Ohio Valley residents for leading the Brooke High School football team to three state championships, seven OVAC championships and 185 wins among 265 played over a 23 year period.
But in his retirement, he applied his energy and enthusiasm to improving Brooke Hills Park, supporting the development of the Brooke County Veterans Memorial Park and other projects and services undertaken by the various community boards for which he volunteered.
As one of many remembering Billiard, who died Tuesday at the age of 79, Brooke County Commissioner A.J. Thomas noted the long-time coach never lost his love for football, often using gridiron terms in everyday conversation, while applying “the same passion to everything he did in the community.”