Chadbourn, NC — Coach Brandon Smith, the longtime football coach at West Columbus High School, died Tuesday, September 1. He served an eight‑year tenure leading the Vikings program, where he was widely respected by players, fellow coaches, and families throughout the school community.
Smith was known for his ability to connect with young athletes, often described as a coach who could motivate, challenge, and bring out the very best in the students he worked with. Former players say he had a rare gift for pushing them in ways that felt both demanding and deeply supportive.
Beyond the football field, Smith was well known across Chadbourn as the owner of Nell’s Chophouse and Catering, a popular local business recognized for its cooking and hospitality. His presence in the community extended far beyond sports, and he was often seen as a familiar, friendly face around town.
His wife, shared the news publicly, writing that she announced his passing “with profound sadness and a heart completely shattered,” Brandon was not only a coach and business owner but as a husband, father, friend, and cornerstone of the community.
Smith’s death is being felt across the region by those who knew him through athletics, food, business, and everyday life. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
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