Otis Gilbreath: Pepperell High School

Gilbreath was inducted into the Georgia Dugout Club Hall of Fame in 2000.

Otis Gilbreath took over the Pepperell High School baseball program in 1954 and led the program for the next 30 years. He guided the Dragons to six state championships, turning the Floyd County school in Lindale into a baseball power.

Gilbreath, also a member of the Rome Floyd Sports Hall of Fame, was known for “raising and coaching other people’s children.” After serving in World War II, he returned to college and received his degree from Oglethorpe University.

He played an integral role with the late J.W. Sutton in helping start youth baseball leagues in Floyd County. For four years, Gilbreath served as an assistant football coach under Sutton.

He was the state coach of the year five times and he has also been inducted into the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

In 2013, Pepperell High School named its baseball field, “Otis Gilbreath Field.”

Gilbreath passed away on November 22, 1992.