Lewis Kent (Coach) Briggs

With strong roots and deep love for Western North Carolina communities coach leaves behind a legacy in resilience, strength, kindness and loyalty.

Even up to his final days, Kent lived by Rocky’s quote… “it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward.”

Coach fought and truly battled cancer off and on for the last 20 years. You might have been part of one of those rounds with cancer. You have probably witnessed a form of strength, of resilience, of hard-headedness, of advocacy, of sorrow and of joy…you have witnessed the winning and losing and his unwavering character during both… in one of those rounds with life likely you cheered, you provided, you prayed, you rallied, you showed you played hard for, or you held his hand. One of the last things I heard my dad communicate was how he appreciated the people who helped him. So thank you and he loves you.

Though Kent was a son, brother, father and friend; he had a coaches heart. Briggs found purpose, pride and joy in teaching and coaching young people to be the best that they could be.

Kent will be missed during his family’s traditions, at WCU football games, and during the good times by people who knew him. Some of Kent’s remains will be spread at his favorite places and laid to rest in the middle of WCU campus at the Briggs family plot at Cullowhee Methodist Church next to his son, Cody and close to his hero, coach Bob Waters.

He is survived by his wife Lisa Briggs, daughter, Alex Briggs Allison his son-in-law, Sam Allison and their son, Briggs Allison. He was proceded in death by his parents Violet and Corkey Briggs and his son, Cody Kent Briggs