A Life of Service and Victory
Kent Briggs, a former Western Carolina University football coach and cherished figure in the Appalachian community, died on June 19 at the age of 68 after a prolonged battle with cancer. His passing marks the end of a distinguished career that blended coaching excellence with deep personal connections.
The funeral service will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, at Biltmore Church in East Asheville. Visitation begins at 11:30 a.m., giving friends and family an opportunity to pay their respects before the ceremony. Appalachian Funeral Services and Crematorium is overseeing the arrangements, which include scattering portions of his ashes at locations he held dear, such as the Western Carolina campus and the family plot at Cullowhee Methodist Church.
Briggs is survived by his wife, Lisa Briggs; daughter, Alex Briggs Allison; son‑in‑law, Sam Allison; and their son, Briggs Allison. He was also the brother of Violet Briggs and Corkey Briggs, and the father of Cody Kent Briggs, both of whom preceded him in death.
Before returning to his alma mater, Briggs spent 11 seasons as an assistant coach at North Carolina State University, where he learned under the guidance of mentor Bob Waters. At Western Carolina, he served as head coach from 2002 to 2007, leading the team to four consecutive winning seasons and leaving an indelible mark on the program.
His early coaching roots trace back to Cherokee High School, where he guided the Braves to the 2017 North Carolina state football championship, the first in school history. A standout player at A.C. Reynolds High School and a former quarterback at Western Carolina, Briggs carried the values of perseverance and community service into every role he held.