Coach Len Dugger, a devoted husband, beloved father and grandfather, cherished brother, faithful servant of Christ, and legendary Elizabethton basketball coach, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 12, 2025, at the age of 73. A pillar of the community and a guiding light to generations of young athletes, he leaves behind a legacy defined not just by victories on the court, but by a life rooted in love, faith, and service to others.

Born in Detroit, Michigan (July 30th, 1951) and raised in Northeast Tennessee, Len made his mark early as a standout basketball player for Hampton High School in the late 1960s and later continued his playing career at Gardner-Webb University. He began his coaching journey shortly after, starting as the junior varsity coach for the Hampton boys basketball team. His coaching career progressed not long after, eventually leading him to take over as head coach of the Elizabethton Cyclones boys team in 1979. In his 16 seasons, he led the team to the state tournament and built a program known for its toughness, discipline, and success.

After stepping away in 1995, Len returned to the court in 2007 to coach the Lady Cyclones. What followed was one of the most dominant runs in school history — six state tournament appearances and a state championship title in 2014. His girls teams compiled a staggering 186–20 record over his final seven years. In all, Len achieved over 500 career wins, a feat that placed him among the most successful coaches in East Tennessee history.

But to those who knew him, Coach Dugger's greatness was never defined by numbers.

To his players, he was tough but fair — a coach who expected their best and believed in them even when they didn't believe in themselves. He was a mentor who gave second chances, a father figure to many, and someone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help his players succeed long after they graduated. As one former player shared, "I'd give what I thought was 100%, but somehow he always knew there was a little bit more in there."

To his community, he was a role model — showing up at school events, visiting sick players, and checking in on his neighbors with a kind word and a steady hand. Len was a member of Pleasant Beach Baptist Church, where he sought to live out his faith daily through action and compassion.

He was a familiar face at his favorite Elizabethton Chick-fil-A, where he was known not just as a regular, but as a friend. Whether chatting over breakfast or lending a listening ear, his presence brought joy and steadiness to many.

Len was a devoted and loving husband to his wife of many years, Diane Dugger. Together, they raised their beloved son, Skylar Dugger, whose memory remained close to their hearts following his passing six years ago. Len found great joy and purpose in being a grandfather and remained a constant and devoted presence in the lives of his granddaughter Serenity Dugger, and her siblings, Bella and Saven. To his grandchildren, Len was a constant source of comfort and pride — always present, always supportive, and always leading with love.

Coach Dugger was inducted into both the Elizabethton High School Sports Hall of Fame and the Carter County Sports Hall of Fame — honors that speak to his professional accomplishments but only begin to tell the story of his heart, his faith, and his unshakeable commitment to the people he served.

He will be remembered most not for the games he won, but for the lives he shaped — for being a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, a steady mentor, and a man who gave all he had so others could grow stronger, wiser, and closer to the Lord.

Len is survived by his devoted wife, Diane Williams Dugger; his cherished grandchildren, Serenity, Bella, and Saven, and their mother, Natasha; his father, Len Dugger Sr., and stepmother, Sylvia Dugger; his sister, Lisa Miller and her husband Larry; and his brother, Michael Bailey and his wife Yody. He is also lovingly remembered by his nieces, Caitlin McGrady and her husband Seth, Caroline Ivy and her husband Julian, and Carissa Bailey.

He was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Novella Dugger (1975), and his son, Skylar Dugger (2019), whose memory remained ever close to his heart.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects during visitation hours on Saturday, May 17th, from 12pm to 4pm at the Pleasant Beach Baptist Church. A service celebrating Len's life and legacy will follow immediately at 4pm. with Pastor Mark Fowler and Mr. Jeff Vines officiating. Music will be provided by Greg Rusten, Tawana Holland and Marcus Secrist. . Active Pallbearers who are requested to assemble at the church at 3:50 p.m. Saturday and also at the funeral home at 1:20 p.m. Sunday will be: Willie McVey, Bradley McVey, Eddie Carver, Richard Hyder, Scotty Babb, Daniel Wilson, Jordan Meredith, Tim Timbs, Jeff Guinn, CY Peters and Tommy Head. Honorary Pallbearers will be George Heaton, Tony Jones, Seth McGrady, Julian Ivy, former players of Elizabethton and Hampton High Schools, The Hampton High School Class of 1969 and his Pleasant Beach Baptist Church family.  In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Pleasant Beach Baptist Church Building Fund,125 Watauga Road, Elizabethton, Tenn. 37643, a place that held deep meaning in Len's life and faith. Contributions may be made in his memory to support the continued growth and ministry of the church he loved. The Entombment Service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 18, 2025 in the Mausoleum of Faith, Happy Valley Memorial Park. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 1:20 p.m. Sunday to go in procession to the cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at our web-site www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.

Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Dugger family