AUGUST 8, 2015
PHIL RATLIFF SUCCUMBS TO INJURIES SUFFERED MONDAY
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — One of Lawrence County’s most popular and successful athletic figures has died after a weeklong battle to save his life by doctors at a Charlotte, N.C. Medical Center.
Phillip Ratliff, 44, of Louisa, Ky. was hospitalized after an incident Monday near Charlotte. He was reportedly on a coach’s retreat and fell into the water while boating, but those details could not be officially confirmed and no official word on exactly what took place has been forthcoming from Charlotte University, where he was serving as the O-Line coach and head recruiter.
Coaches reportedly did CPR on Ratliff for an hour and a half before he could be transported to the hospital. It was first reported that he had suffered a heart attack but that is apparently not the case.
Ratliff’s brother, Brian Ratliff confirmed on his Facebook page earlier today that his brother has died.
“Thanks for all the prayers, Phil Ratliff was the perfect brother. I will miss him deeply,” Brian Ratliff said in his post. “Please say a prayer for the family… and again thanks so much everyone.”
No details have been released about funeral arrangements since his immediate family members were at his side in Charlotte this week and could not be reached for comment.
University officials said they were withholding comment today until all team members and staff could be notified.
AUGUST 7, 2015
UPDATE: CONFERENCE USA COMMENTS SAY RATLIFF MAY NOT HAVE HAD HEART ATTACK;
NEWS THIS MORNING (FRIDAY, AUGUST 7)
Don’t expect much to change through the weekend – evaluations then may tell the tale. We must just wait and let the doctors do what they do, slowly, as they try to make sure Phil is given a full chance to recover. God is strong, and so is Phil, so keep hoping-wishing-praying-wanting for him to get better, and remember his family as well during this very tough time.
—Woody Woodrum
NEWS THIS MORNING (THURSDAY 10:00 am) : Former Lawrence County football star and coach Phillip Ratliff may not have suffered a heart attack as was first reported. Doctors are working to find out what happened and haven’t ruled out a stroke.Ratliff, 44, is a two time All-American at Marshall University is in very serious condition and his family and friends ask for prayers from the community.
The following quotes ARE taken from websites for Charlotte University, where Ratliff is a coach and Conference USA of which Charlotte is a member.
“… Phil Ratliff still stable this morning, via former teammates. Heart attack ruled out, thinking heart arrhythmia problem. Running some tests and procedures today and then will see where they are. Please continue prayers for Phil, Jenny and his children, his parents over in Kentucky and his Marshall and Charlotte football families.’
—Woody Woodrum
“…I just spoke to one of his ex-teammates and best friends. The doctors don’t believe it was a heart attack, have run several tests, but still haven’t figured out exactly what happened. He’s not in good shape, but Phil is a fighter and a strong guy. For those that haven’t had the pleasure of talking to Phil, I can’t stress what a nice and genuine human being he is. He’d give the shirt off his back to a stranger.
Keep him and his family in your prayers.”
Friend and former teammate (name withheld)
“…My wife got a text from Jenny this morning saying there is no damage to the heart and they will now start to access any brain damage. He has a long road to go. Continue to pray for a full recovery. Wondering if it was a stroke?
–Family friend
Ratliff suffers attack Monday evening…
Former Marshall University All-American Phillip Ratliff, 44, suffered a cardiac event while at a coach’s retreat Monday night. Ratliff is currently working as Offensive Line Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Charlotte of Conference USA.
ConferenceUSA had this quote today (Tuesday, August 4, 2015:
“…Former Marshall player and coach, and current Charlotte coach – Phil Ratliff is in a Charlotte, N.C. hospital after having a massive heart attack. If you are of the mindset, please pray for he and his family for a full recovery.”
A two-time all-America on the offensive line at Marshall who has been inducted into the school’s athletic Hall of Fame, Ratliff was the Thundering Herd’s Tight Ends coach for six years (2006-11).
He joined Marshall’s coaching staff after spending two years at James Madison, helping the Dukes to the 2004 NCAA Div. I-AA National Championship. Ratliff played at Marshall from 1989-92 while Lambert was on the coaching staff and captained the Thundering Herd’s 1992 NCAA Division I-AA National Championship team. As a coach, he helped the Herd to the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl in 2009 and Beef O’Brady’s Bowl in 2011.
“He played for us at Marshall and he was a very intense player. He will bring that intensity to the offensive line,” Lambert said. “He’s coached at all levels: high school, FBS, FCS. He’s recruited the Charlotte area in particular for a number of years and that’s very important to us. He’ll do a great job with the guys, handling the players and do a great job representing our university with his integrity and character.”
Following his playing days, Ratliff was a student assistant at Marshall (1993), defensive coordinator at Lawrence County (Ky.) H.S. (1994-99) and coach at Spring Valley (W. Va.) H.S. (2000-03).
A native of Louisa, Ky., Ratliff received his bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a specialization in special education from Marshall in 1994. He and his wife Jenni have two children: Haley and Dylan. They live in Harrisburg, N.C.
Phil Ratliff
Marshall, 1994
2-time all-America (offensive line)
Coaching Experience:
Charlotte, 2012-14
2012-14: Offensive Line; Recruiting Coord
2013: 5-6; Inaugural Season
2014: 5-6
Marshall, 2006-11: Tight Ends
James Madison, 2004-05:
Spring Valley H.S., 2000-03
Lawrence County (Ky.) H.S. 1994-99: Defensive Coordinator
Marshall, 1993: Student Assistant
