| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 9, 1924 Wellsville, Missouri, U.S. |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1951–1957 | Centralia HS (MO) |
| 1958-1993 | Jefferson City HS (MO) |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 392-60-4; 405-60-4 |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Awards | |
| Missouri Sports Hall of Fame (1986, 2013 Legend) | |
John V. "Pete" Adkins (born September 9, 1924 in Wellsville, Missouri) is a retired American football coach. He is known for being one of the most successful high school football coaches in the United States. It is believed that his winning percentage is the best football coaching record in the country for coaches with 100 or more games and the third-winningest record in football, at any level. Adkins served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, between 1943 and 1946. He earned an undergraduate degree from Culver Stockton College and a masters degree from the University of Missouri.
His overall coaching record of 392-60-4 is a 86 percent winning-percentage while his 405-60-4 record may include postseason games. His 405 career wins are tied for second in the nation. He began his coaching career at Centralia High School, where he went 51-12-2 between 1951 and 57. For Jefferson City High School, he compiled a of 341-48-2 in 36 seasons between 1958 and 1993. He coached Jefferson City High School to 20 undefeated regular seasons and 15 perfect seasons. When starting his coaching career at Jefferson City, his teams went 76-1-2 in their first 79 games, and he did not lose a road game in his first decade with Jefferson City High School. He produced 52 first team All-State players. He was selected eight times as Missouri Coach of the Year. He was featured in the PBS documentary On Broad Shoulders and appeared on ESPN's Outside the Lines. Adkins was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1986 and honored as a legend there in 2013. [1] [2] In 2024, Adkins celebrated his 100th birthday in Jefferson City, Missouri, stating that he still exercises and lifts weights five days a week. [3]