Carl Madison never plans to return.

But then again, he can’t seem to get too far away.

This will be the fourth year Madison will coach the West squad in the Native American All-Star football game at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Haskell Indian Nations University.

He says he wasn’t going to coach this year’s team, though something in his voice tells you he’s lying.

“I had really not planned on coming this year. But they called, and I’m glad they did,” the 74-year-old Madison said. “I’m glad to be here. It’s just an honor to work with these kids and be around them.”

To say Madison has gone the extra mile to coach would be an understatement. He and wife Grace went the extra 1,056 miles from Pensacola, Fla. – in their RV – to attend this week’s event. They left arrived Saturday in Lawrence, and they’re staying at the KOA campground on Highway 40.

The couple wouldn’t have it any other way. Earlier this year, the two were in Colorado Springs, Colo., when they learned their house had sold. They immediately traveled to Pensacola to pack their belongings and put them in storage.

West Squad Coach Carl Madison of Milton, Fla., right, coaches his players during practice for the Native American All-Star football game. Madison, shown Monday at Haskell Indian Nations University, was preparing for Friday's game.

Now, Carl Madison insists, there is a good reason they travel everywhere in their motor home.

“We don’t have a home to go back to,” Madison said, laughing. “It’s good to be that way, you know, to not have any obligations and such.”

Madison has enjoyed leisure time since he retired – for the second time.

He retired in 1999 after 301 high school coaching victories and three state titles. Madison also boasted the USA Today National Championship team in 1988, when he was named National High School Football Coach of the Year.

But in 2001 he was offered a challenge – an opportunity to turn around 0-10 Jackson Academy in Alabama.

Madison was hired in 2002, and the next season Jackson Academy posted an undefeated record and won a state title.

The team followed with a 12-0 record and state championship in 2003 before Madison again retired.

“My wife doesn’t mind traveling and doesn’t mind me doing this,” Madison said. “For 46 years, I’ve enjoyed every day I’m here.”

Native American All-Star football coach Glen Locklear, right, of Guilford, N.C., talks to players on the West squad. The athletes worked out Monday at Haskell Indian Nations University in preparation for Friday's game at Haskell Stadium.

The most recent retirement still hasn’t kept him from accepting the offer to coach in the Native-American All-Star game.

“He’s been saying that he wouldn’t come back for a long time,” said Jeff Bigger, founder and director of the all-star game. “But he loves kids, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him coach a couple more years.”

This weekend’s game will be a reunion of sorts for Madison, who will have both family members and friends traveling to Lawrence from all over the nation.

Among them will be his two children, his brother, and also his nephew, Scotti Madison, who played briefly for the Kansas City Royals from 1987 to 1988.

“They’re thinking it may be my last one,” Madison said, “but I don’t know.”

Some former players are tracking the coach down this week to work on a book about him. Kansas City Chiefs kicker Lawrence Tynes might also make an appearance at the game after playing for Madison at Milton (Fla.) High.

Bigger said the players in this year’s all-star game were fortunate to be tutored by Madison.

“He’s a high school coaching legend, and he’s touched so many lives through his years of dedication,” Bigger said. “The kids here are blessed to just be around him.”

As for his future coaching in high school, Madison vows his recent stint at Jackson was his last.

Probably.

“I’m through with that – that was it,” Madison said. “I’m pretty sure.”