Wiggins takes over WCDS varsity boys' job

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on July 13, 2005 1:46 PM

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Building trust and creating stability in the coaching ranks is Chad Wiggins' top priorities as the new varsity boys' basketball coach Wayne Country Day School.

A former Charger, Wiggins is the fourth coach in at least the last seven years at the Class 1-A independent school. He succeeds Randy Tilley, who guided the Chargers to 19 wins a year ago and an elite eight appearance in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association playoffs.

Tilley succeeded Steven Weir, who replaced Carlos Peralta.

Wiggins coached the junior varsity boys team, which won the Coastal Plains Independent regular-season and tournament crowns.

The Chargers started 2-3, but concluded the year with a program-best 22-game win streak.

"Once I knew he wasn't coming back, I thought there was a good chance because of the relationship I had with the kids and the parents," said Wiggins. "I am surprised to have an opportunity -- this quick -- with one year under my belt. I'm really grateful."

Wiggins admits he doesn't have strong coaching credentials. He played for Tilley at Southern Wayne before transferring to WCDS. He spent one season at Mount Olive College and then embarked on a two-year mission with his church.

When he returned, Wiggins found a girlfriend and lost some of his athleticism.

"I did not feel like getting back in basketball shape," he laughed.

Still, Wiggins couldn't surrender his love for basketball.

An avid college basketball fan, Wiggins watched numerous games and talked about the game with his nephews. He dreamed of coaching his own team - a fantasy which became reality last season. He relished every second with the JV team and said his initial goal was just to have fun.

The passion grew.

"I have such a love for those boys and I gained it last year," he said. "Most of them are moving up (to varsity). There has been no stability. I want to have an opportunity to see it through and help them out a little bit (on the next level)."

Wiggins didn't discuss strategies or workout plans for the team. He expressed that trust, most of all, is needed to help build a successful program.

"In all my experiences with basketball coaches, the ones I wanted to play hard for were coaches I wanted to please -- not necessarily out of fear -- but I wanted to please them because the trust was there," Wiggins said. "You want the kids to know that you're there solely to teach them ... work hard and over time, build a program.

"I'm going to let the kids know there is a certain way we're going to do things and do it with class. I really don't have any plans to go anywhere."

The passion is too great now.

"I'm grateful to have parents who let me play the little kid and go after my dreams," said Wiggins. "I'm looking forward to seeing how far I can go as well."