Charles Nuttycombe, a United States Track and Field and Cross-Country Coaches Hall of Famer, and arguably one of the greatest multi-sport coaches in Virginia history passed away on December 4 in his hometown of Newport News, VA. He was 90 years old.
It was in Newport News that Nuttycombe made his mark as a coach, but his athletic story began in Richmond, where he was a star athlete at Thomas Jefferson High. At Jefferson, Nuttycombe was the Outstanding Athlete of his 1950 senior class, excelling in football and track, and winning a state championship in the broad jump.
His original plan was to focus on football, and Nuttycombe accepted a gridiron offer to play for the Virginia Military Institute. Eventually, he would transfer to Randolph-Macon College where he lettered in football, track, and basketball. He was the 1955 football team captain and three-time track team captain. Throughout his Yellow Jacket college career, he earned 13 state champion titles in various events.
After graduating from the Ashland school, Nuttycombe relocated to Newport News and began his teaching and coaching career. His first stop was the legendary Newport News High, where the young coach studied under Julie Conn. In 14 years with the Typhoon, his track teams won a combined 14 state championships. In 1961, he embarked on his football coaching career, which at NNHS was highlighted by his undefeated team in 1962 (9-0-1).
In 1970, Nuttycombe moved several miles north to midtown to begin his career at the fledgling Menchville High. Over the next 20 years, he would cement his name as an all-time coaching legend, building the football and track teams from the ground up with the Monarchs.
While his football teams posted a record of 150-108-18, and buoyed five athletes to the NFL, it was track and field that sealed his Hall of Fame career. Nuttycombe’s teams recorded a dual meet record of 125-3-2, and he personally coached state champions in every individual event except one. Between Newport News and Menchville High Schools, he took part in 23 indoor or outdoor state team championships.
According to his obituary, Nuttycombe’s list of accolades was long and included an honor as the 1990 Virginia HS Coaches Distinguished Service Award. On the national level, he was awarded the inaugural United States National High School Track Coach of the Year Award in 1975. In 2005, he became one of only four high school coaches to be inducted into the United States Track and Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame. In 2014 his son Ed (University of Wisconsin head coach) followed his father into the Hall of Fame and they remain the only father-son combination. He is also a member of the Virginia High School League Hall of Fame (1992), Menchville High School Hall of Fame (2005), Newport News Public School Track and Field Hall of Fame (1991). In 2014 he became a member of the Lower Virginia Peninsula Hall of Fame, as well as being inducted into the Randolph Macon College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015.
Nuttycombe’s presence in Newport News athletics did not disappear with his retirement. In the early-2000’s, he could be found at Todd Stadium working out with his middle schooler grandson Graham Wilson, who would go on to be the Monarch’s top distance runner (and tennis player) for all four of his high school years. Daughter Jennifer Nuttycombe has been the athletic director at Warwick High for over a decade.
Nuttycombe is survived by Elizabeth, his wife of 69 years, six children and 15 grandchildren.
There will be a Charles Nuttycombe Memorial Scholarship Fund established at Menchville High School. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be made at: www.weymouthfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Weymouth Funeral Home in Newport News, VA.
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