Buford Teacher, 30, Dies of Heart Attack at School

BUFORD, Ga. - A 30-year-old coach died after collapsing at Buford High School on Thursday.

Ryan Daniel died of an apparent heart attack during a pick-up basketball game at the school before classes began.

Buford head football coach Jess Simpson says Daniel played football for Buford High in the late 1990s. He went on to play college ball at Catawba College in North Carolina and then came home to Buford in 2007 to teach and coach.

He coached three sports, including helping to take the Buford Wolves to four state championships.

“Just touched so many kids in our school, was an unbelievable teacher in our special ed department. Just had a great connection with kids and those kids adore him,” Simpson said.

Simpson said he first met Daniel when he was in eigth grade as a football player. He watched him grow and excel, and follow his dreams of playing college ball, and then he had the pleasure of working side by side with him as a coach. Simpson says his death is devastating

“There's a big hole in the world today,” said Simpson. "He's 30 years old,healthy and full of life, here. You’re here one second and gone the next. It's gut-wrenching.”

Simpson said there will be many honors and tributes to Daniel through the school and the football program, but right now they're all still in shock.

“That's the scary thing, waking up tomorrow, he's not going to come by and stick his head in my office and say good morning,” said Simpson.

Simpson said everyone was in shock at the school after they learned of Daniel's death.