Virginia high school football coach missing amid undefeated season with massive search underway

Travis Turner, head football coach at Union High School in Big Stone Gap, Va., has been reported missing amid what should be a celebratory undefeated season for his team.

According to the Virginia State Police, Turner was officially listed as a missing person Sunday after last being seen on Thursday.

Officers were reportedly dispatched to Turner’s residence Thursday evening to investigate a complaint — not to arrest him — but when they arrived, Turner was no longer there.

Virginia HS Football coach Travis Turner is missing amid an undefeated season. Virginia State Police

His last known appearance was wearing a gray sweatshirt and sweatpants, per the state police.

Meanwhile, the Union High football program has pressed on, even as the coach remains missing.

The Bears advanced to a regional semifinal — after an 11-0 regular season — under the leadership of assistant coach turned interim head coach Jay Edwards, one day after Turner went missing.

Union emerged with a 12-0 win against Graham High School in Virginia despite the news.

They will face Ridgeview High School in a regional title match-up next.

Football game at Phil Robbins Field with a crowd of spectators in the stands. Union High School / Facebook

Union High School is pictured. Union High School / Facebook

Search efforts in Wise County have ramped up, involving drones, K-9 units, and multiple law enforcement agencies, per News Channel 11.

“We have had the drones up in the air looking, searching,” Jason Day of the State Police said on WJHL. “We tried to, get the state police aviation, but they were unable to fly yesterday because of the weather. We’ve had, K-9 units, bloodhounds from local departments, sheriff’s office here, and wise state police dogs into the woods, searching, you know, the local area of last known, place where, Mr. Turner may have been or had seen.”