Donald R. Hardin
Coach Don Hardin passed away peacefully at Morrison Hospice House in Zanesville, Ohio on October 5, 2025. He was born on August 1, 1940, to the late Ralph and Emma Hardin.
He was married to the love of his life, Peggy (Brown) Hardin, for 62 years. Don is survived by two daughters, Dawn Hardin Arganbright and Heather Woodard (Greg “Nipper”); grandchildren, Cody, Tyson, and Emma Woodard; great-grandchildren, Hadlee and Cooper Woodard; sisters, Carolyn Smith, Dee Pritchard, the late Sonnie Schuller, Becky McKibben; and nieces and nephews.
Don graduated from Wilmington University with a degree in education. It was there that he suffered an accident where he lost his fingers which never stopped him from achieving his goals. He became legendary for his stub and unusual handshakes that put fear into many and caused laughter for those of us who knew him well.
He became a coaching icon at Heath High School, where he coached football, cross country, boys’ and girls’ basketball and track. His teams at Heath High School won 32 league titles and 15 district titles. He led teams to state tournaments 14 times as well as numerous individuals. In 1991, under his direction he led the Lady Bulldogs to an undefeated state title in girls’ basketball. Don received numerous coach of the year honors at the league and district level and was Division III State of Ohio Coach of the Year in 1991. The Bulldog Cross Country Invitational was changed to the Don Hardin Cross Country Invitational in his honor. Don, along with Dave Klontz, was honored to be one of the first members of the Heath High School Hall of Fame. To say that he was demanding was an understatement, but he truly loved his players and knew how to get the most from his student athletes. His influence extended far beyond sports as evidenced by his enduring friendships with so many of his athletes.
After retirement Don devoted his time to his farm and family. Donnie’s sisters always remember his love of trucks and tractors. Upon retirement, he took great pride in restoring old tractors which he then used on the farm. He desperately wanted a dump truck as well, but that came at a price when Peggy put her foot down and said, “No truck unless you give up chewing tobacco.” He did and he started a hauling business that kept him busy and provided him with money for his cash stash.
He enjoyed watching Tyson and Emma show cattle and as a horse lover he relished watching Heather and Emma race barrels. Even after retirement he continued to enjoy competition and a highlight for him was watching, Nipper win a state title in boys’ basketball. Daughter Dawn became the boy he always wanted when she asked him to teach her how to use a jigsaw to make a life size Brutus Buckeye. No fingers were lost but there was lots of cussing by both parties. In his later years Donnie began making picture frames and Peggy would help paint and stain them. If you weren’t lucky enough to get one, please feel free to contact Heather or Dawn. Coach’s life was a life well lived and he will be missed by all that knew and loved him.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Heath Church of Christ, 1331 Chapel Way, Heath, on October 25, 2025. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. – 2:30 pm. The Celebration Service will begin promptly at 2:30 p.m.
Memorial contributions can be made in Coach Don’s name to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, at https://www.cff.org/donate or the Forever a Bulldog Scholarship with the Licking County Foundation, at <https://heathathletics.com/2022/05/23/hardin-and-klontz-bulldogs-forever-scholarship-fund/>
The Heath Chapel of Henderson-Van Atta-Stickle Funeral Home and Farus Funeral Home of New Concord are assisting the family with arrangements.
