Moore, James E. Buddy

He was a standout football player at Sheffield High but earned his reputation as a fierce competitor in the coaching ranks. He played four years of football and baseball at Sheffield, earning All-Tri-Cities and All-TVC recognition. He later earned four letters at Florence State. After spending two years as an assistant at Deshler, he became the Tigers head football and track coach for 10 seasons. He compiled a 61-33-6 record as football coach, winning the TVC title in 1965 in addition to several Tri-Cities and Quad-Cities titles. Led Deshler to Class A state track championships in 1962 and 1964, while posting several TVC and area track titles. He posted an 8-2 record in his only season at Scottsboro, where he also started the school's track program. He then became head football and track coach at Coffee in 1970. In 12 seasons, his Jackets posted a 73-45-4 record. He was area coach of the year in 1974 and 1975. He took Coffee to the state semifinals in 1975. Coffee finished in the top four in the state 6A track championships three times. He also started the girls track program at Coffee. Twenty-six of his former football players received Division I scholarships and he also sent three track stars to Division I schools. He was selected to the Colbert County Sports Hall of Fame in 2002 and received the Tennessee Valley Conference Distinguished Service Award in 1983. He served as principal at Coffee from 1982 through 1992 and retired with 38 years in the state education system. He also had a distinguished military career of 41 years, serving as the state adjutant general 1992-95.