Archie W. Dabney, better known as “Coach,” was known for his illustrious career as both a coach and educator which spanned some 40 years in Citrus County, Florida. 

Coach Dabney was born in Leesburg, Florida where he attended and graduated from Carver High School. While in High School, he participated in football, basketball, and track. In 1946 he entered the US Army for a two-year enlistment.  He was in special services while stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, where he was a member of the football, basketball, and track teams.  At Fort Bliss he was a member of the 4^th Army football champions both years he was on the team. 

Coach Dabney was a graduate of North Carolina A&T University where he received his bachelor’s degree.  While at North Carolina A&T University, he became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Also, at North Carolina A&T, he lettered in football, basketball, and track and was inducted into the North Carolina A&T University Sports Hall of Fame.  After graduating from college, he got his first teaching job in Virginia in 1952 where he also coached basketball at Union High School in Bowling Green, Virginia from 1952-1954.

In 1953 he returned to Florida, teaching in Leesburg and Wildwood. Then, in 1955 he landed a job in Inverness to teach at the all-black Booker T. Washington School (now Inverness Middle School). While at Booker T. Washington School, Dabney coached football, baseball, basketball, and track. In 1956, Dabney began coaching the football team. He was also the head basketball coach and track coach. Under Coach Dabney's leadership, he led the Booker T. Washington School "Hornets" to state championships in football, basketball, boys' and girls' track and won a state title in each sport as well as nine district titles in basketball. 

After schools were integrated in the late 1960s, Coach Dabney went to Crystal River High School when the school opened its doors during the 1967-1968 school year. During the integration period, Archie Dabney played an integral part to the peaceful integration of the schools within Citrus County, thus his qualities made him a leader in both the black and white communities. From 1968-1984 at Crystal River High School, Dabney coached football, basketball, track and tennis. He also taught science and later worked as a guidance counselor. 

Coach Dabney also was Principal at Lecanto High School from 1984-1986 and Citrus Springs Elementary from 1986-1994.  In addition to his illustrious coaching and administrative career, Coach Dabney was a mentor and father figure to thousands of students throughout the State of Florida. He received many educational accolades during his illustrious career.  

Aside from all the championships and winning across multiple sports, Coach Dabney was a loved and well-respected mentor, teacher, principal, guidance counselor and coach who has made a life-long impact on the lives of his colleagues, students, and athletes. Those impacted by Coach Dabney have now become productive and successful citizens throughout the United States and abroad.  

Coach Dabney passed away on May 21, 2023, at the age of 95.