Following the conclusion of the
First World War, there was a great demand for qualified coaches. Likewise, LeRoy Sprankle was quickly contacted by a high school in
Carrollton, Ohio, to coach its basketball team. Despite having to commute by train and lodge overnight twice a week in order to keep his Canton job, Sprankle accepted the position out of his interest for helping boys. His success there warranted him an offer to coach in
Tennessee at Kingsport High School (which was later renamed
Dobyns-Bennett High School). In late 1921, he accepted the offer and became the head baseball, basketball, football, and track coach. While at
Kingsport, he became known for taking a keen interest in helping his players and students, many of whom went on to become noted for their life achievements. Over the course of the ten seasons that Sprankle coached football at the school, he compiled an 80–38–9 record, including a 193–0 victory over Norton High School from
Virginia in 1926, one of the largest margins of victory in
American football at any level. His track team won 3 state championships in 11 years, and he amassed a 117–61 record in baseball. Most notably, Sprankle's basketball team was a pioneer in interstate competition. At a time when it was rare to play games out of state, his team traveled annually across the state of
Florida and the rest of the
Southeast. In 1940, as part of the annual Florida trip, his team played a series of exhibition games in
Cuba, one of the only high school sports teams ever to do so. Overall, Sprankle's basketball team at
Dobyns-Bennett High School went 401–142, winning 18 championships. In 1943, he and his family were forced to move to
South Florida for health-related reasons. Nevertheless, he continued to coach, at Redlands High School in south
Dade County, until 1953 when the school combined with Homestead High School. While retired from coaching, he worked with the new
South Dade High School as business manager until he completely retired in 1964. Sprankle died in
Homestead, Florida, in 1972 at the age of 78, he was survived by his wife Jess, and his children, Rita and Dale. At his funeral,
Bobby Dodd sent his remorse in a message that read: Sprankle became a second father to me and to hundreds of others like me.... Yes, I believe that LeRoy Sprankle has had more influence on the lives of the young people of Kingsport than any other person. I am sure he did, and I will always be grateful for the help he gave me. Since his death, the city of
Kingsport, Tennessee, has named a day in his honor. The gymnasium at the former
Dobyns-Bennett High School (now John Sevier Middle School) was also dedicated after him. ==Notable players coached==