Coach Jim Brett of Emerald Isle, NC, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 11, 2025.  He passed away peacefully at Carolina East Medical Center with his wife and daughter by his side.  Jim grew up in Ahoskie and graduated from Ahoskie High School in 1963, where he was a three-sport athlete.  He excelled in football, basketball, and baseball.  Right out of high school, he was drafted by the New York Mets, but he decided to pursue his college education. He attended Chowan College and graduated from Atlantic Christian College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Physical Education with a minor in Social Studies.  Then, upon graduation, his love for athletics led him to pursue a long and storied career in education and coaching. Jim was a career head football, track, and Athletic Director. He coached at Tarboro High School, West Brunswick High School, Northern Nash High School, and West Carteret High School.  At each school, he was very fortunate to work with great assistant coaches and wonderful young athletes. His teams won three state football championships, four state track and field championships, and numerous conference championship titles in football and track.

After his retirement, Jim was a governor-appointed Board of Trustees for Carteret Community College.  In addition, he was recognized as one of the All-Time greats in North Carolina prep coaching history. He was inducted into four different Hall of Fames: The North Carolina High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame, the North Carolina Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, The George Whitfield Baseball Hall of Fame, and the inaugural class Tarboro High School Athletic Hall of Fame.  Jim was a humble man who never wanted the spotlight on him but rather on his assistant coaches and players. He was deeply moved and appreciative of these honors bestowed upon him for his contributions to high school athletics. Coach Brett was an avid Duke Blue Devils, Washington Redskins (Commanders) fan, and New York Yankees fan.  

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