William "Ernie" Ernest Chatman, Jr.

The Brooksville community has lost an icon who loved and lived these words.  William Ernest “Ernie” Chatman Jr. passed peacefully at his home on Sunday, July 24, 2016, of natural causes.  He was 66 years old. 

Ernie’s gifts were many: loving, dedicated husband, father and grandfather; educator; motivator; runner, and coach.  He sacrificed none. 

The walls of Ernie’s office are adorned with mementos of his career accomplishments, of which there are many. Ernie’s true worth to his family and our community, however, cannot be measured by the records he set, the awards bestowed upon him, or the miles he ran; rather, it is reflected by and through the countless individuals whose lives he shaped and made better by his dedication, encouragement, mentoring and unbounded love. 

Ernie is known to most as “Coach Chatman,” having coached in Hernando County for over 40 years.  He coached baseball for his alma mater, Hernando High, for 12 years, cross country for 28 years, softball for five, track and field for five, five as the boy’s basketball coach, and served nine years  as athletic director.  He led the Hernando boys cross country team to a state title in 1997, coached the softball team to the state finals in 2000 and 2001, and holds the school-record for season wins in basketball (25 in 1987), and softball (30 in 2001).  Coach Chatman collected 21 conference championships, 18 district titles, and 11 regional titles.  He was named Conference Coach of the Year three times in baseball (1982, 1992, 1993), 10 times in cross country (1979, 1980, 1982, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006), once in basketball (1987), three times in softball (1999, 2000, 2001), and twice in track (2005, 2007).  The Tampa Tribune named Coach Chatman Baseball Coach of the Decade (1975-1985) and Coach of the Year eight times (Baseball 1979, 1982, 1983, 1992, 1993; Basketball, 1985, 1987; Cross Country, 1992).  The St. Pete Times named him Coach of the Year nine times (Baseball, 1979, 1982; Cross Country, 1978, 1979, 1980, 2002, 2007; Softball, 2000, 2001) and the “Most Influential Person in Hernando County Sports” in 2002.  While coaching multiple sports for the Leopards, Coach Chatman coached the Dixie Majors to three state championships and a World Championship in 1983, the Hernando Youth League Girls Fast-pitch Softball team to a State Championship and third place finish in the World Series in 1997, coached the Saint Leo University baseball team to a program record 46 wins in 1984, was the private pitching coach to hundreds of young Hernando, Citrus and Sumter County athletes, completed 104 marathons—at least one in all 50 states and Washington D.C., and at least two in 46 states—and jogged every day for 8,814 consecutive days. He was given the Key to the City of Brooksville in 2004, inducted into the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2004 and into the Hernando High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2011. 

Each one of these accomplishments is a testament to and recognition for his dedication and service to others.  Coach Chatman never discussed one of his records or wins without quickly deflecting the attention and praise to the young athletes and his assistant coaches that he molded. 

He was strategic, but bold; tough, but kind-hearted; stoic, but nurturing; and, humble, but proud. Each of these characteristics made him a one-of-a-kind coach, man, and most of all, brother, father and grandfather. 

Ernie would be the first to tell you his biggest accomplishment, and greatest source of pride, was his family.  He was the strong, oldest bother to his five brothers and sisters, to whom he became a father-figure and mentor after the passing of their parents.  He was the rock, and yin to the yang of his life-long-love and wife of nearly 44 years, Linda.  He was the perfect dad and a hero to his three children, Erin, Beth, and Bret, who respected, admired, and could never disappoint him.  And, he was “Big E”, the larger-than-life grandfather to six young grandchildren, who lit up with joy and excitement when he entered a room. 

For six decades, Ernie coached his family through life’s ups and downs with the perfect mix of tough-love, reality, and compassion.  The lessons he imparted and the character he instilled will guide them through the tough times immediately ahead as they grieve his passing.  By reflecting on his legacy and relying on their faith they will become stronger and closer through adversity, just as each of his teams did.  Ernie’s family will go on striving to live their lives the way Ernie did, finding joy and profound personal satisfaction in raising the next generation and helping others realize and reach their potential. 

After he has led a full life, a man is measured not by the things he collected, but by the lives he touched and positively impacted.  By that measure, William “Ernie” Chatman set a high-bar.

            William Ernest Chatman is survived by his wife Linda Smith Chatman (Brooksville); his daughter Erin Chatman Sullivan, her husband Addison and their children Troxler, Charlotte, and Quinn (Brooksville); daughter Beth Chatman Thompson, her husband Colin and their children Tripp, Turner, and Taylor (Tampa); son Bret Chatman and his wife Alexis (Tampa); sister Barbara Chatman Alberson and her husband Dave (Brooksville); sister Diane Chatman Byrd (Raleigh, NC); brother Alan Chatman and his wife Toni (Gainesville); sister Pauline Chatman Jeffries and her husband Chuck (Sarasota); sister Peggy Chatman Hope (Brooksville), seven nieces and nephews and one grandniece.

            A visitation will be held on Friday, July 29th at 4:00pm to 6:00pm, with a memorial service to follow, at the Hernando High School gymnasium.  A special repository for those wishing to write and share a special story or memory about Coach Chatman will be made available at the service.  In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Hernando Youth League or First United Methodist Church of Brooksville. 

ARRANGEMENTS BY

MERRITT FUNERAL HOME

BROOKSVILLE, FLORIDA

(352) 796-6699

“Family Owned and Operated”

www.merrittfuneral.com