Jim Brett, a longtime head football and track coach, has died.
The news was shared early on Sunday by Tarboro High School’s football accounts on social media.
Over his 38-year coaching career, Brett led students at Tarboro, West Brunswick, Northern Nash, and West Carteret High Schools.
The N.C. High School Athletic Association inducted Brett into its Hall of Fame in 2018.
Brett is considered one of the most impactful coaches in Tarboro’s football history. He led the Vikings to their first state championship win in 1984 as well as 13 conference championships and 15 consecutive playoff appearances.
He is one of just seven coaches in NCHSAA history who won a state championship as the head coach at more than one school.
While leading the West Brunswick football program, Brett led the Trojans to state titles in 1992 and 2003.
In 2002, Brett led Northern Nash to the 4A eastern regional final. In 1985, he served as an assistant coach in both the East/West All-Star Game and Shrine Bowl in 1985.
Overall, Brett had a 211-100 win-loss record as a head coach.
As a track coach, Brett coached Tarboro to four State Track and Field Championships. Those titles were won in 1973, 1974, 1978 and 1979. The Viking track teams won 12 conference championships and five eastern regional championships under Brett. In 2006, Brett was an assistant on the Northern Nash track team which won the 3A state title.
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