Buford football coach dies at school

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga.,None — The death of a high school football coach stunned students and teachers at a Gwinnett County high school.

Ryan Daniel, 30, died of a heart attack on the Buford High School campus on Thursday.
Daniel was an assistant coach for the Buford Wolves football team and lived in the community his entire life.

"He grew up here, he graduated from Buford in 2000 and then after he graduated from college he came back to work in our school system," said school Superintendent Geye Hamby.

Friends, students and players told Channel 2's Diana Davis their coach was an integral part of their team that has won a state championship four out of the last five years.

"It was really sad. He was personally one of my favorite coaches on the team.  His energy was just infectious," student Steven Reese said.

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Students said Daniel brought a little humor into their lives when things got tough.

"He was the type of coach that would come to you and brighten your day and crack little jokes that make you feel better," student Joshua Thomas said.

"A lot of sadness.  It's a tight community around here, especially around this football team. There are a lot of people sad today," parent John West told Davis.

Funeral services for Daniel have not been announced.

WSBTV