Coach Tony Tademy

Anthony Duane Tademy, a beloved husband, father, brother, coach, and friend, passed away Monday, January 6, 2025, in Grand Prairie, Texas. He was born March 1, 1959, to the late Raymond Hall Tademy and the late Ruth Banks Tademy. Coach Tony Tademy was a dedicated and passionate figure in the world of sports, known especially for using athletics to positively impact young men and women. Before becoming a revered coach, “Coach T” was first and foremost an athlete. His love for all sports was evident from a young age, as he excelled in football, baseball, basketball, and track. A standout moment in his early career was being part of the 1976 Arkansas state championship football team at Jacksonville High School, a testament to his skill and team spirit. His talent on the field earned him a football scholarship to Louisiana Tech University, where he helped lead the Bulldogs to a pair of Independence Bowl appearances in 1977 and 1978. Tony served as a student coach for the 1981 and 1982 seasons, and he ultimately graduated from Tech in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in general studies. After his time in Louisiana, Tony joined the staff at the University of Mississippi, becoming the program’s first African-American graduate assistant football coach. Tademy continued to be a trailblazer, becoming the first African-American football coach at Virginia Military Institute in 1985. Coach Tademy returned to Louisiana Tech as a full-time coach in 1987, and he later spent time at Howard University, Northeast Louisiana University, the University of Houston, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Blinn College, Texas Christian University, Henderson State University, and various high schools in Texas. Since 2018, Tony has served as the head football coach and campus athletic coordinator for Grand Prairie High School. In 2021, he led the Gophers to the UIL Class 6A, Region 1, Division II Bi-District Football Championship, the program’s first playoff victory in over 30 years. In total, Coach T spent 43 years on the sidelines at 16 schools. Tony is preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother, James Leonard Tademy. He is survived by his wife, Maria Bagnardi Tademy; sons, Anthony Joseph Tademy and Victor Raymond Tademy; brother, Raymond Hall Tademy Jr., Ph.D., and wife Danita Green; aunt, Shirley Banks; numerous cousins, and a host of friends. Visitation will be Friday, January 17, 2025, from 11am -12pm, at the First Baptist Church of Grand Prairie, 950 Mayfield Road, Grand Prairie, Texas 75052. Funeral service will follow immediately at 12pm, and a private burial will take place at the conclusion of the service. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Grand Prairie Youth Football Association in Coach Tademy’s name. Arrangements entrusted to Guerrero-Dean Funeral Home under the direction of Aaron King, Funeral Director.

Coach Tony Tademy

March 1, 1959 - January 6, 2025