James Key played football at Evergreen High School and after graduation played at Troy State University where he earned his degree. Coach Key became the head football coach at Brilliant in 1945 for four seasons with a 22-9-5 record. In 1949 he accepted the head coaching position at Greensboro where he remained for 14 years. As a basketball coach, he guided the first state tournament teams from both schools. Also, he coached in the 1954 All-Star game and even served three years as volunteer coach at Brilliant in the early 1990s. After leaving coaching, he continued to serve in educational capacities, including seven years as Greensboro principal. He was inducted into the Alabama High School Athletic Associations Hall of Fame in 1966. | 
