Community comes together after sudden passing of Union County teacher and head football coach

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — The community is coming together to honor and praise a Union County Career and Technical Educational teacher and head football coach after his sudden passing on Thursday.

Coach Terrence Gittens taught and coached at Parkwood High School and also coached at Cox Mill High School in Cabarrus County for over a decade, according to his LinkedIn page.

“You’re not going to find a person who has crossed paths with Coach Gittens that doesn’t have glowing things to say about him,” said Rocky Richar, athletic director at Parkwood High. “The thing that’s been so impressive to me is how wide of a net he cast.”

Gittens suddenly died on Thursday and the community quickly reacted. Both Parkwood High School and Cox Mill High School released statements on Twitter after hearing the news.

Parkwood High School’s football Twitter account confirmed the passing with a tweet saying: “With great sadness, we announce the loss of our beloved Head Coach, Terrance Gittens!!! We ask that you please keep his Family, our Program & Community in your prayers as we mourn his passing!!”

Parkwood High School’s career department’s Twitter tweeted a picture of a memorial outside of the high school that shows a rock spray painted with the words, “Faith, Family, Football.” Flowers and footballs can be seen surrounding the rock.

Coach Gittens’ former school, Cox Mill High School, also tweeted out support saying: “Cox Mill HS is deeply saddened by the loss of our long time football coach and asst. athletic director Terrance Gittens. Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family. He will always be part of the Charger Family.”

Cox Mill High School told Channel 9 it was planning a vigil on Wednesday night to honor the coach.

Gittens’ had posted on Twitter a couple of days before he died, reminding his followers that April 11 would be spirit night for Parkwood High School football, where 15% of the proceeds from Jersey Mike’s would go to the school.

Many people on social media retweeted the message and plan to go to the location on Weddington Road in Wesley Chapel in honor of Coach Gittens.

The restaurant sold more than 200 subs and raised $536 in four hours.

“It was an amazing community event, and we are thankful to be involved,” owner Anna Turovskaya said.

There is no word yet on how Coach Gittens died.

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