WINDER, Ga. — Students and faculty at Apalachee High School are grieving the loss of a beloved coach and mentor, Richard Aspinwall, known affectionately as "Coach A," who was among the four victims of a tragic shooting on Wednesday.
Throughout Thursday, the school community came together to honor Coach A, with many students—especially athletes he coached—expressing their deep sorrow. A small football placed amidst a sea of flowers at a makeshift memorial outside the school served as a poignant reminder of the impact Coach A had on those around him.
“Coach A meant a lot to me, but he also meant a lot to everyone in the school because he always pushed us to be better,” said Isaiah Hooks, a sophomore at Apalachee High, his voice heavy with emotion.
For many students like Hooks, the loss of Coach A is something they're still struggling to process.
"It was just really, really rough, and it's now the next day after, so it’s just sinking in," Hooks added, recalling the disbelief that gripped him when he first heard the news.
The memorial, adorned with flowers and balloons in the school’s colors of yellow and blue, stretched upward alongside the school's flagpole, symbolizing the collective grief of a community grappling with an unimaginable tragedy.
Former students, like Kenny Rodriquez, echoed the sentiments of those who knew Coach A.
“In that moment, I just couldn’t believe it. I was in shock and in disbelief,” Rodriquez said. “He poured his heart into every student, and the lessons he taught us, on and off the field, will live on for years to come.”
Rodriquez told 11Alive that Aspinwall joined the coaching staff during his junior year. He explained that Aspinwall often continued to take an interest and support athletes even after they graduated. The news of the shooting was something he said hit him especially hard.
"I was just I couldn't believe it. You know, I was just shocked and and disbelief. And then a little later, after that, they confirmed that he was one of the people that was that was dead," Rodriguez said.
The outpouring of love and respect for Coach A has been overwhelming, with many students struggling to come to terms with the loss. As they attempt to navigate the days ahead, the community remains united in their shared grief.