VIDALIA — Former Vidalia High School head football coach Dee Faircloth said he probably deserves credit for several coaches getting into the state hall of fame.

Faircloth, who amassed a 249-187-6 record in 42 years at Vidalia, was recently selected as a member of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association/Louisiana High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame Class of 2014. As part of the induction process, the association sent someone to interview him, and the interview will be played in front of the audience when he’s inducted Jan. 29 in Baton Rouge.

“The coaches I coached against, every one of them was special,” Faircloth said. “Three of those fellas are in getting in the same hall of fame (with me). I said on that tape, I’m so glad I was able to contribute to their win totals over the years. I might have put some of them in the hall of fame.”

On a more serious note, Faircloth said it was an honor to be one of eight members of this year’s class.

“I’m very humbled by it,” he said. “I’m going in there with some of the greatest coaches, administrators and athletes that have ever been in Louisiana high school sports.”

Faircloth credited his many players over the years — as well as his assistant coaches and school administrators — for his success over more than four decades.

“We had outstanding kids, assistant coaches and administrators,” he said. “They all had a big influence on me.”

In fact, it was the people that kept Faircloth around Vidalia much longer than he expected.

“I was going to stay a year and move on to the big time,” Faircloth recalled. “For a guy who was going to stay here one year and move, I tell you, it’s been a ride.”

Though Faircloth said he never had making the hall of fame as a goal — 200 wins was the only personal goal on his mind — he said he’s honored to be one of many coaches being recognized for making a difference in their players’ lives.

“I’ve always said, the coaches are the last cowboys,” Faircloth said. “When coaches disappear from the world, there will be chaos. I’m proud for all the coaches.”