of Woodstock, GA

September 2, 1937 - December 13, 2025

Richard Murry ''Coach'' Bell

Richard Murry ''Coach'' Bell, 88, was released from the bonds of this earth and welcomed into the arms of his heavenly Father on December 13, 2025, in Woodstock, Georgia. A beloved family man, mentor, and friend, he poured his life into others and was devoted to four pillars: faith, Family, Football, and Fitness, the foundations of a life well lived.

Born on September 2, 1937, in Camden and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, Richard was class president and a standout athlete at Little Rock Central High School. He went on to the University of Arkansas, where he earned bachelor's and master's degrees in physical education, played tight end for the Razorbacks, captained Coach Frank Broyles' first team, and was later inducted into the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. After a six-month Army tour and service in the reserves, he returned as a graduate assistant, discovering the calling that would shape the rest of his life.

Over the next four-plus decades, Coach Bell became known as one of the finest defensive minds in college football; and even more, as a ''player's coach'' who cared deeply about the young men under his care. He began at Walnut Ridge High School in Arkansas (1960â€"61), then moved into the college ranks with stops at VMI (1962 through 63), Georgia Tech (1964 through 67), West Virginia (1968 through 69), Texas Tech (1970 through 74), South Carolina (1975 through 82), Duke (1983 through 87), East Carolina (1988), Georgia (1989 through 93), Navy (1994), and Air Force (1995 through 2006), coaching mostly linebackers and defensive backs and serving as defensive coordinator at nearly every stop. Campus after campus, year after year, ''Coach Bell'' became less a job title and more a calling: the steady thread God used to weave together the decades of his life.

At the University of South Carolina, he served as defensive coordinator from 1975 through 81 and head coach in 1982. His time there was marked by righteous courage: when asked to fire assistants he believed had barely been given a chance to build the team he envisioned, he refused, knowing it would likely cost him his job. It did; and that choice became a defining example of his conviction, integrity, and loyalty.

His 1998 Air Force team went 12 to 1, won the Mountain West Conference, captured the Oahu Bowl, and finished in the national top ten. That same year he was honored as national Assistant Coach of the Year. Along the way he coached an impressive list of players, including Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers, All-Americans and future professionals such as Mo Lewis, Ben Smith, Mike Junkin, Chris Gizzi, Anthony Schlegel, Randall Godfrey, and even future WWE star Bill Goldberg. He also mentored future head coaches and coordinators like Mark Dantonio, Mike MacIntyre, Will Muschamp, Richard Ricketts, and John Rudzinski.

Coach Bell was especially proud of the players who ''got it'': the young men who grew in character and allowed the lessons from the field to carry over into the game of life. He is also credited as the creator of the Chicago Bears' current mantra, ''Good, better, best,'' a lasting example of his legacy on the game.

After retiring from the college game in 2006, he just couldn't fully hang up the whistle; So, he wrote Winning Defensive Football, consulted with teams around the country, and eventually

found his way to Prince Avenue Christian School in Athens, Georgia, to teach middle school students P.E. and to serve as the Wolverine's Defensive Coordinator through 2017.

Faith was the foundation of Richard's life. A devoted follower of Christ, he taught Sunday school and Bible studies, partnered with ministries such as Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Athletes in Action, and Campus Crusade, and in recent years worshiped as a member of Prince Avenue Baptist Church. His prayers were legendary; affectionately called ''Yoda prayers,'' wise, carefully worded, and sincere. He began each morning with Scripture and prayer, a small picture of the discipline with which he approached every area of life.

Outside of football, his great joy was his family. He met the love of his life, Marilyn Crawford, in Little Rock, Arkansas. They first crossed paths at a Razorback Spring game, reconnected months later in Washington, and finally had their first date at the circus in February 1962. By Christmas, he had asked her to marry him. Their marriage was marked by deep devotion, shared ministry, and a home where faith, laughter, and a steady stream of visiting players and friends were always welcome.

To his four children, he was Dad and ''Coach'' all at once: gentle, wise, and fiercely protective. To his grandchildren, he was the fun, fit grandfather who told the best stories, embellished just enough to keep everyone laughing, and always stood up for the ''little guy.''

Coach Bell is survived by his cherished wife of more than sixty years, Marilyn Crawford Bell; his children Michelle Bell Arneson (David) of Peyton, Colorado; Meredith Bell McMillan (Dan) of Woodstock, Georgia; Murry Bell (Chanda) of Snellville, Georgia; and Melinda Bell Cope (Ryan) of Marietta, Georgia; his grandchildren Haley Arneson Harris (Ques), Benjamin ''Ben'' Arneson, Macy McMillan, Daniel McMillan (Kayla), Alyssa McMillan, Taylor Bell, Kendyl Bell, Lawson Cope, Evan Cope, and Hudson Cope; and his brother William Bell (Evelyn). He was preceded in death by his parents, Alton Bell and Maureen Murry Bell.

A visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. followed by memorial service at 12:00 p.m. on December 29 at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home in Little Rock, Arkansas. Additionally, a celebration of life will be held on January 11, 2026, at Prince Avenue Baptist Church in Bogart, Georgia, with visitation beginning at 2:00 pm followed by a memorial service at 4:00 p.m.

The family requests that donations be made in Coach Bell's honor to Prince Avenue Christian School and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, organizations that reflect his lifelong devotion to faith and the next generation.

To know Coach Bell was to know a man of deep conviction, gentle strength, and unwavering love, a coach who cared more about souls than stats and a servant of Jesus who finished his race with faithfulness. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

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