Former PHS football coach passes away suddenly at 38

Coach Middleton

Former PHS football coach Warren Joseph Middleton III died suddenly at age 38 on September 10. He leaves behind two daughters, ages 16 and 3, and extended family members. Middleton was a coach in Piedmont from 2007 – 2010.

Kurt Bryan, a former PHS head coach and currently the head football coach of the new Oakland Panthers (IFL) shared the following memories of Middleton with Piedmont Football:

“Coach Warren was happy, tough, funny, blunt and smart, but more than that, he loved coaching, teaching and mentoring the young men within the Piedmont Football program.

He worked long-hours at his real job before coming to coach football and help the kids at Piedmont. And, even though he and I would often chat and laugh about life’s unique challenges before, during and after practice, Coach Warren never gave less than 100% for the kids. Because of that, the kids and coaches loved him for it. Every so often, he would bring his little daughter to practice and it was great to watch her having fun and observing her “daddy” coach the players.

During the heat of the moment at our football games, on the sidelines Coach Warren was poised but jubilant and fearless, and he always gave me his honest opinion regarding strategies and tactics. Interestingly, quite often his thoughts and ideas were proven to be correct.

It is our sincere hope that the Middleton family can find some deserved comfort in the outstanding loving memories of the excellent man we knew as Coach Warren. My family and I will never forget him and forever appreciate what he brought to the coaches and players at Piedmont.”

Middleton’s cousin Alicia Middleton has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help the family cover the cost of funeral services. Donations may be made here.

4 thoughts on “Former PHS football coach passes away suddenly at 38

  1. Please excuse the typos. The correction of Joseph’s oldest dauhgter’s age is now posted on GoFundMe. Thanks to the Piedmont Exedra for this wonderful article and for the loving comments made about Joseph.

  2. Rest In Peace Warren. I will forever miss our time together on the Piedmont Football Team, and the countless Raiders Tailgates/Games. You left us too early, but we will never forget you. I have always loved you like family and will forever cherish our memories.

  3. Thanks to the Exedra for posting. All of our former coaching staff members are devastated about the news of Coach Warren’s passing and leaving behind two young girls. Coach Warren worked so hard to support his family, working long hours in multiple jobs, and somehow he still found time to commute up to Piedmont and coach our players. Please support his family and way you can.

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