Michael G. Swain
February 10, 1943 ~ June 17, 2025
Michael Swain, a beloved coach, educator, mentor, and cornerstone of Danville athletics, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of strength, service, and unwavering dedication to generations of family and students. He was born in Sterns, Kentucky, on February 10, 194,3, to the late Dorman and Doris King Swain. A 1962 graduate of Danville High School, he was inducted into the Danville Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011 — a testament to his life’s work both on and off the field. He was predeceased by his first wife and mother of his children, Carolyn Dexter Swain, his sisters Sue Hill and Brenda Rankin Currin, and niece Robyn Rankin.
Coach Swain was a four-sport letterman in high school, earning accolades in football (Honorable Mention All-State defensive lineman), track, swimming, and baseball. After graduating from college in 1967, he began his storied career in education and coaching at Madisonville High School, where he immediately began shaping minds, muscles, and character—building a weight room so respected that even University of Kentucky’s Head Coach Charlie Bradshaw deemed it “one of the finest in the Commonwealth.” He also worked under football coaches Herb McGuire and Briscoe Inman at Centre, and football coach Roy Kidd and swimming coach and athletic director Don Combs at Eastern Kentucky University.
Returning home to Danville in 1970 proved to be a pivotal moment in his life. There, he poured his heart into coaching and building, transforming the basement of the old Centre swimming pool into the school’s first weight room, a facility still in use today. His legacy includes not only this physical foundation but also the mental and emotional one he laid for countless athletes. The weight room was re-named in his honor in 2014. He was the director of pupil personnel for Danville Independent Schools for many years.
Throughout his 44-year career in education and coaching, Coach Swain was more than just a strategist of sports. He was a builder of people. He coached football, track, cross-country, baseball, golf, and girls’ basketball at Danville High School. He helped lead the 1984 Admirals football team to a perfect season and the AAA State Championship, earning the rare distinction of being named the MVP as a coach — for his immeasurable impact on the team’s success.
Swain’s influence extended beyond athletics. As the founder of the Danville chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), a physical education pioneer at Bate Middle School, and eventually as Director of Pupil Personnel, Transportation, and Buildings and Grounds, he shaped nearly every facet of student life. Under his guidance, Danville became a model of excellence — from its award-winning physical fitness programs to its state-of-the-art athletic facilities. He was named State Champion Fitness Coach for three consecutive years (1982–84) and was honored nationally and internationally for his work in alternative education. He also served as Kentucky’s state consultant for physical fitness on the President’s Council on Fitness. While employed by the State Department of Education, he also consulted on the drug and alcohol regulations.
Even after “retirement,” Coach Swain never stepped away from his calling. He drove special education buses, tutored elementary math, coached Little League and middle school football, and most importantly, remained a constant presence in the lives of Danville’s youth — cheering from the sidelines, offering a word of encouragement, or lending a steady hand.
Coach Swain believed in every child’s potential — that every child is born to win, even if they don’t yet know it. He lived that belief every day, through every kind word, every whistle blown at practice, every hug given, and every life he touched.
He is remembered not for records or statistics, but for his enduring spirit, contagious energy, and profound impact on generations of students and athletes. In the words of those who knew him best, his greatest accomplishments were the intangibles: encouragement, integrity, work ethic, and a boundless passion for helping others succeed.
He is survived by his wife Sharion “Sam” Swain, her sons Chris Morgan and Jason Morgan, his children Michael Hagan (Lee Saufley) Swain, and Laurie (Joey) Kirk, his grandchildren, Katie Kirk, Will (Alexis) Kirk, and Caswell Phillips, and nephews Scott (Susan) Hill, Chris (Debbie) Hill, Michael (Susan) Hill, and Keaton (Barbara) Rankin, cousin Vince and Cathy Klee, a community of former players and students, and a town forever better because he called it home.
A Celebration a Life will be 1 p.m., Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at First Christian Church with Rev. Colby Smith officiating. Friends are invited to Michael and Sam’s house after the celebration to enjoy Michael’s beautiful gardens.
Memorial donations are suggested to The Ghost in Blue Foundation, 506 O’Hara Drive, Danville, KY 40422, www.theghostsinbluefoundation.com
Rest easy, Coach. You’ve run a good race, built strong teams, and left a legacy that will never fade.
Services
Celebration of Life: July 8, 2025 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
First Christian Church Disciples of Christ
555 East Lexington Avenue
Danville, KY 40422
Receiving of Friends: July 8, 2025 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Gathering of Friends: July 2, 2025 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Morley's Backyard
234 E Walnut St
Danville, Kentucky 40422
www,morleysky.com
View current weather.
Charities
The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Michael G. Swain 's name.
The Ghosts in Blue Foundation, Inc.
506 O'Hara Drive
Danville,
KY
40422
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
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Thinking of you and praying for your sweet family.
Kelly Caton
Mike and Laurie, your dad was an amazingly positive person and I treasure the memory of his laugh – and me making him laugh! Mom adored both your folks, and somewhere all the cool Jennie Rogers teachers are still watching over us. Biggest hugs when next we see one another, all my best.
Laurie and Joey,
So sorry for your loss…
R.I.P. Coach Swain. Prayers for his family during this difficult time.
I am so sorry for your loss. You always spoke so beautifully about your dad and he loved you so much. You will always be his little girl and he will forever be proud of you. Now he can finally be at peace with your mom, his true love, eating ice cream together.
Love, Courtney
Laurie and Hagan, my heart is with you. I love you all so much. Papa was one of a kind❤️
Laurie, Joey, Michael Hagan, and Lee
Will, Katie and Alexis….
Thinking of you with so much LOVE.
Papa loved his people like no other!
I’m glad he is at peace now but I know how much you will miss him. We love you all ♥️
Laurie I’m a friend of Lindy and Kristy’s and I’m so sorry for your loss.
Love, Parker Robertson.
Laurie, Hagan, Katie, & Will,
I loved Papa so much. I am so sorry and I am thinking of you. I know how much he loved you all.
Love, Lee
Laurie,
I am so sorry about Papa. He was such a sweet guy and always showed me lots of love❤️
Earliest memory of coach swain was him as a senior at DJS and him next door watching future wife and others practicing cheerleading. Blessed to have had him as a coach. Fine gentleman .
I love you papa. Im glad you get to be at peace in heaven with our sweet cackie. We will all miss you. To Laurie, Katie, Hagan, and Will I love you so much
Laurie,
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m so happy that Papa is reunited with Cackie in heaven.
Amy
Laurie and Hagan,
I am so sorry for the loss of Papa. He meant so much to our family. I just hope that he and Cack are living it up! I love you all so much!
I am so sorry for the loss of your sweet father. I’m a friend of Kristy’s since we were 9 years old, and I have spent a lot of time with him and Cack over the years. Even beach vacations!! I am praying for peace for your family.
With love, Amy Tipton
Laurie, Joey, Will, Alexis and Katie,
We are keeping all of you in our prayers. We have such wonderful memories of Coach Swain aka Papa! I thought he was proud of Laurie and Hagan until Will and Katie came along!! What a loving father and grandfather. I’m so thankful to have had his encouragement in my life and the life of my children as well.
We are deeply sorry for the loss of your precious Dad and Papa. He was such an incredible man and left an indelible mark on our lives and the lives of all that were lucky enough to have known him. May he finally rest in peace and may your memories forever make you smile and bring you comfort. 💞
We love you!
Melissa, Mike and Claire
Laurie and Michael,
I do not have the words to express the love and appreciation I had for your father. Bruce has shared so many wonderful memories with me throughout his childhood at Danville and he was even able to share a footprint with my daughter, Katie. She still remembers him instilling the “Golden Rule” to her. When I told her about Coach Swain passing, she said, “I will never forget what he told me so many times when I was younger. Yes sir, no sir, please and thank you! THE GOLDEN RULE!” He had such a huge influence on so many lives in the Danville community and beyond. He was not only a coach to Bruce, but a great friend and mentor. The first time I met him, he was introduced with open arms and love! He was a wonderful father, grandfather and friend! Rest in Peace Coach Swain! You will be missed!!
Bruce and Marie
Not all heroes wear capes. Michael is a hero to so many. Condolences to Sam and family.
I want you all to know how sorry we are for your loss. Coach Swain was a very special man. He saw the good in everyone he met and found a silver lining in every situation. Even when his health started to decline he would find words of praise or kindness to make others feel special. That is just the kind of man he was. I know he had a huge homecoming when he entered heaven. I hope you all find comfort in knowing he no longer is in pain. His kids and grandchildren brought him so much joy as did his students and football players. He will be missed by many.
Sam, Jason and Chris,
I am sorry to hear of Michael’s passing. I know it is a shock after the progress he was making. Find comfort in knowing it was God’s will and each of you made his life special.
Much love –
Jennifer
Laurie,
I am so terribly sorry for your loss. I know how much your father meant to you. I always enjoy hearing your stories of how precious him and sweet Cacky were with your amazing children and making a profound impact on everyone’s life. I am truly sorry and praying for you during this most difficult time. -Cheyanne
I met Mr Swain many many years ago at Bate Middle School with my mother Mrs Jewell Lay.
She always spoke so highly of him and after spending time in his presence I too became fond of him.
Warm Regards,
Wilma Lay Linton
Laurie, Joey, Katie and Will, please accept our deepest condolences in the loss of your Dad and Papa. He truly was one of a kind and one of the nicest people anyone could ever meet. He certainly loved you all and was so proud of you Katie and Will. What a wonderful legacy he will leave. Lots of love and prayers, Michael, Paige, Bailey and Mackenzie
I loved this man so much. I never saw him without a smile. He loved calling me Mean Mary Jean from the time I was a little girl through the present. I learned so much from him. He was one of the major influences in my life and for that I’m grateful.
So many wonderful memories! He was a beautiful soul and made the world a better place!
I had the blessing of being Michael’s coworker at Bate Middle School for eight wonderful years. I have NEVER known a more positive human than him!! He not only was friend and colleague but he was my mentor. He could inspire a turtle to run a sprint. And he did just that when he created the “Turkey Run” at Bate MS. This awesome teacher and coach convinced the most lazy kids to not only participate in the cross-country run but he made them believe that they had fun by doing it!! None of us will ever know his MAJOR IMPACT he had on our students and community!!! I loved and admired this man and am THANKFUL he was part of my life!!!!! Rest well my brother, for you have run a good race, and even HEAVEN is a better place now that you’re there!!
I am so sorry for the loss of Michael. Please accept my deepest sympathy. Rose (Gandolfo) Mansfield
To offer his time. To ensure the growth of anyone, whether it was a player or coach.
I am forever grateful for the time I shared with him during my Danville Admiral days.
May God bless his family, friends, and the entire Danville Admiral community. He was my kind of defensive-minded coach, especially when he reminded Coach Harp that a D-Line twists coming from a four-man front could rattle an offensive line if they were not prepared for it.
His legacy of dedication, passion, and mentorship will always be remembered.
Blessings and comfort,
Dr. Vaughn “Lunch” Little
Coach sure was a hero in Paul’s eyes. He loved him dearly and had great respect for him. ❤️
Laurie & Michael Hagan, your dad was a special man as evidenced by the outpouring of stories and memories of boundless energy, love, compassion & encouragement for others I have enjoyed reading about him. He left the world a better place and you two embody the same loving qualities. Laurie, I see pictures of you as a little girl with your dad, imagine you as the little blonde firecracker on the sidelines at football practices with him and smile. You all & your families will carry on his spirit of living each day with joy; I am blessed to know this firsthand by being around each of you. Continued prayers for peace and comfort, Jennings ❤️
He was a genuine ray of sunshine. A pleasure to know and uplifting every time I saw him. He passed that on to Laurie! Miss him already
Love and prayers to all of you!
Sharion, what a blessing for Michael to have had your love and dedication. I will never forget how you cared for him during his troubles and always supported him and did what was best for him. You, Jason, and Chris were amazing! With love, Gail