William Dupes lettered in football for three seasons from 1949-51, playing for coaches Hooper Eblen and Star Wood. After graduation, he served as Tech's head track & field coach and assistant football coach from 1955-61. He was head coach at Milligan College in 1962 and, the next season, returned to the OVC as head coach at Austin Peay. He guided the Governors for nine years and was named OVC Coach of the Year in 1964.