Ed Deupree graduated from Talladega High School where he was named to the All-State team by the Birmingham News as an end his senior season in 1948.Deupree was a starter in the second annual Alabama High School Athletic Association North-South All-Star game in August 1949.

He received a scholarship to play football at Auburn University where he started at end for Auburns freshman team. Deupree transferred to Austin Peay and started for the Governors in 1950 then spent two years in military service. He later received his degree Jacksonville State.

Deupree got his start in coaching at LaFayette High School where he served as an assistant for one year and at Austell, Georgia, for three years. He came to Walter Wellborn in 1960 as assistant to Frank Hackney in football and as the head basketball coach. When Hackney resigned after the 1960 season, Deupree was named head football coach.

Deupree served as head coach at Walter Wellborn for 12 seasons from 1961 through 1972. The Panthers were 77-33-5 during his tenure and won or shared five Calhoun County championships.

In 1966, Wellborn was named Class 3A state champion over 88 other 3A schools by the Birmingham News based on a points system created by the AHSAA. The Panthers finished 9-0-1. Only a 7-7 tie with Oxford kept them from a perfect season.

In 1963, Deupree served as an assistant coach in the North-South All-Star game. He was chosen Calhoun County coach of the year in 1966 and named Alabamas 3A coach of the year by the Birmingham News. In 1970, Deupree led Wellborn to its first football playoff appearance. One of only eight teams in the Class 3A playoffs, the Panthers were 1-1 in the postseason.

Walter Wellborn honored Deupree when they named the field house after him in 2010.