Tillman Briggs was a solid rugby man and is remembered both for his playing and coaching in the 1950s and 1960s. He was a star player for the James Bay Athletic Association before assuming the role of player-coach in the 1960s. He molded the JBAA team into a dominant force that prevailed in Canadian rugby in the 1970s. For his prowess in the sport, he was selected as Canada's national rugby team coach.