Norman Grayden Lineburg, a towering figure in Virginia high school football and a beloved mentor to generations of student-athletes, passed away on Thursday at the age of 89.
A coaching icon and devoted family man, Lineburg left behind an enduring legacy built on discipline, humility, and heart.
For over 37 years, Coach Lineburg led the Radford High School Bobcats football team, capturing multiple state championships and inspiring young athletes to reach their full potential.
Upon his retirement, he held the Virginia High School League (VHSL) record for most games coached and ranked second in all-time wins.
In honor of his impact, the school named its football field after him.
Norman Lineburg Had A Coaching Career That Built More Than Wins
Lineburg’s coaching wasn’t just about playbooks and practice drills; it was about building character.
His former players and coaching peers remember him as someone who taught the importance of resilience, teamwork, and integrity.
One of his most notable coaching connections was with Frank Beamer, the legendary head coach of Virginia Tech.
Beamer served as a graduate assistant under Lineburg in 1971, a year in which Radford went undefeated and clinched the state championship.
That mentorship left an incredible mark on Beamer, who credited Lineburg with shaping his own coaching philosophy.
Lineburg was also the uncle of Virginia Tech men’s basketball coach Mike Young and the father of Robert Lineburg, the current athletic director at Radford University.
Following his passing, the Lineburg family released a heartfelt statement:
“Our family mourns the passing of a remarkable man, Coach Norman Grayden Lineburg, who gave his life to coaching and loving others. He was a devoted husband, a proud father, grandfather, and great grandfather; a decorated coach, and an ambassador of kindness.”
Via Obituary
The statement thanked the Radford community, former players, colleagues, and rivals who shared in Lineburg’s journey and helped carry forward the values he lived by.
Norman Lineburg Is Now Reunited In Heaven With His Wife
Norman Lineburg was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Mrs. Margaret Joann Young Lineburg, who passed away in August 2024 at the age of 85.
Joann was a lifelong educator who taught physical education for nearly four decades and was an active member of Central United Methodist Church in Radford.
The couple, who wed on July 30, 1965, are now reunited, a love story that endures beyond this life.
Together, they raised four sons: Robert, Mark, Paul, and Wayne, who now carry forward their parents’ legacy of service, sportsmanship, and heart.
Final arrangements will be announced in the coming days. Rest in peace, Coach!
