Greene County basketball lost one of its greats on Sunday, and Chuckey-Doak athletics lost one of its founders when coach Bobby Broyles passed away at his home.
Broyles began coaching in Greene County in 1955 at Chuckey High school. He then started the basketball program at Chuckey-Doak in 1959 at the request of superintendent Howard McNeese, bringing together rival teams from Chuckey and Doak. He coached many of the sports at Chuckey-Doak when it first opened and was integral in establishing the Black Knights’ athletic program.
Broyles was a distinguished figure in Tennessee high school basketball, celebrated for his remarkable success and longevity as a head coach in Greene County. He was inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame in 2026.
His career spanned decades at Chuckey High School, Chuckey-Doak High School, and South Greene High School, where he compiled an impressive record of 542 wins and 350 losses leading both boys’ and girls’ programs.
As a boys’ head coach, Broyles amassed 407 career wins against 277 losses. His leadership guided his teams to two District Tournament Championships, three District Runner-up finishes, and eleven Regional Tournament appearances. His tenure was marked by high-performance teams, with 10 of his squads securing 20 or more wins in a single season, and two achieving 30-win seasons. Notably, his 1961-62 Chuckey-Doak team set a school record with 35 wins.
Broyles also made a significant impact as a girls’ head coach, recording 135 wins and 73 losses. His teams earned three District Tournament Runner-up finishes and made five Regional Tournament appearances. He later served as a long-time assistant coach, contributing to state tournament runs at South Greene and Chuckey-Doak.
Broyles’ legacy continues at the Chuckey-Doak, where his sons, Steven and Sam, serve as the principal and head boys’ basketball coach, respectively.
Broyles was a standout athlete himself at Chuckey and went on to play baseball at East Tennessee State.
The family will receive friends Saturday, September 12 from 1 PM to 3 PM and 5 PM to 8 PM at Chuckey-Doak Middle School (the old Chuckey Doak High School).
The funeral will be held Sunday, September 13, 2026 at Chuckey Methodist Church at 2 pm with Brother Paul Winchester and Randall Emmert officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Chuckey Methodist Church in care of Shirley Brown, 42 Wintergreen Ave, Greeneville, TN.
Photo Courtesy Chuckey-Doak High School
