Ron Lindon was a native of Hazard, Kentucky. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Virginia Tech before earning his Master’s degree in Secondary School Administration at Radford University.

He started his teaching and coaching career at Radford High School in 1967. The football teams won Group AA state championships in 1971 and 1972 while he was the assistant coach.

Coach Lindon came to Handley to teach math and to be an assistant coach in the fall of 1976. However, he was selected to be head coach when Steve Wilt left during the summer of 1976 to become defensive coordinator at Shippensburg University.

The Winchester Star reported in 2003 that Coach Lindon led the Handley football team through its most successful era. He compiled a record of 142 wins, 67 losses, and 1 tie during his 19 years as head coach. His teams earned 2 state championships, 3 regional championships and 7 district championships. His 1994 state championship team, the last that he coached, finished the season with a record of 14-0.

Coach Lindon became Handley’s Athletic Director in 1995 when Jimmy Omps retired. Todd Hill, who succeeded him as football coach, stated that Coach Lindon tried to attend every athletic event in order to support the students and not let them down.

Ron Lindon died in 2003 at the age of 59 after a short battle with cancer. His colleague Paul Brown described him at the time as a man with an open heart and open mind to everyone. Brenda Neal said that gender was never an issue with Coach Lindon. He was a gentleman, a teacher, and a friend.

Matt Shiffler, a member of the 1994 team, stated that Coach Lindon taught players how to overcome adversity, win with humility, lose with grace, and love each other.

Described in the Handlian as the “Symbol of Handley athletics” and the Judges’ Number One Fan, Coach Lindon is remembered for his smile and his constant support for the students and the teams.