WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Around here last week if you heard somebody say “Coach,” they weren’t talking about the Pelicans’ Alvin Gentry. Or, back in August, the Saints’ Sean Payton.
No, the man everyone calls “Coach” in these parts is Jim Justice, owner of The Greenbrier, the elegant, venerable golf, tennis and croquet (Yes, croquet!), resort he rescued from bankruptcy in 2009 after Donald Trump passed on the opportunity.
He also owns almost 50 other companies, mostly associated with mining and timber, spread over four states.
And he’s running for governor of West Virginia.