Obituary of James Carl Coggins

Coach James Coggins of High Point, NC died July 20th, after fighting cancer for over a decade. He was 74. Coach is survived by his wife of 53 years, Linda, his son and daughter-in-law Jason and Jennifer, his daughter and son-in-law Stacy and Joel. His grandchildren, the lights of his life, Lilly, Sam, and Sylvie. His brother Larry, his wife Susan, and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.

After graduating from Appalachian State, his teaching and coaching career began at Scotland County High School, with a brief stop at Jamestown Jr. High, before finding his home as a teacher and coach at Southwest Guilford High School in 1979. There Coach Coggins taught, coached, mentored, fussed-at, and supported thousands of Cowboys and Cowgirls until he retired in 2011. His legendary sex-ed curriculum and “Coach Coggins rules for Dating” were undoubtedly responsible for the sustained population growth in the greater High Point area.

On the Wrestling Mat, Coach Coggins compiled a 316-201-2 record, winning 12 conference championships, and coaching 5 individual state champions. His teams finished in the top 10 in the state four times. In 2011, Coach was named one of the “Eight Who Make a Difference” by the NC High School Athletic Association. Coach Coggins was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame also in 2011. On December 15, 2011, Southwest Guilford High School named the new gymnasium the James Coggins Gymnasium in his honor.

On the football field’s sidelines he served as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator for 24 seasons. He worked as the school’s athletic trainer and first responder taking care of the student athletes. Coach had stints as an assistant coach working with the women’s soccer, track and field, baseball and softball teams over the years.

Beloved by his students for his unrelenting positivity, Coach was quick with a joke, or a shoulder to cry on- whichever you needed. His influence transcended the school itself, he was respected and admired throughout the community and state. In this time of grief, the family has been amazed by the outpouring of kind words and stories of how Coach affected so many of his former students and athletes. To honor him, the family asks you each find a way to pay it forward. Be the positive influence Coach was for you to help someone else.

Visitation is Sunday July 23 from 12-2p at Pierce-Jefferson Funeral Service at 213 W.Mountain St. Kernersville, NC, followed by graveside services at 3pm at Lakeview Memorial Park at 3600 O’Henry Boulevard Greensboro, NC.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to SW Booster Club’s Senior Athletic Scholarship Fund in Coach’s name. Please help support the amazing staff at the Hospice Home at High Point, and the wonderful work they're doing for the community. (336) 878-7200