Local opinion: Goldsboro must find boys' basketball coach soon

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on June 22, 2012 1:48 PM

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Eric Reid knows high school basketball season may not start until late November, but he's quickly running out of time.

The Goldsboro High School athletics director knows the importance of having the school's fourth boys' basketball coach in the past six years in place sooner rather than later couldn't be higher.

Patrick Reynell stepped down in late April after three seasons as the Cougars' head coach to take a job in Ohio to be closer to family. Goldsboro's remaining basketball players are understandably emotionally fragile after forming a tight bond with Reynell and watching multiple head coaches in the past several years depart for other jobs.

"It's always hard when you lose a guy of Patrick's caliber in the classroom and on the court. You want to make sure you fill those shoes with the same type of person," Reid said. "You always want to have the coach and the kids form a camaraderie. We want to give the new coach time to get to know the kids and for the kids to get to know him. We need to have someone here soon so they can get comfortable and establish a rapport with the kids."

Reid said more than 20 applicants have applied to be Goldsboro's next basketball coach since the job was posted online April 30. According to Reid, the search has been narrowed to fewer than five candidates, but that the next coach must also be able to fill one the school's current teaching vacancies.

Reid also noted that at least one candidate with previous coaching experience at Goldsboro, along with other candidates currently on staff at the school have also applied. If all goes according to plan, Reid expects the school to hire a new coach within the next week or two.

"We're trying to find someone who can fill one of the open roles at the school," Reid said. "Patrick was unique because he was a basketball coach and an English teacher, and you don't find many of those."

The name on the door outside the boys' basketball coach's office at Goldsboro has changed several times in the last few years.

One thing that hasn't changed are the expectations. With a fan base that has grown accustomed to winning and a group of players with a delicate psyche, this is one hire Goldsboro's administration can't afford to "miss" on. Reynell wasn't hired until mid-September of 2009, and fortunately for the Cougars, the late hire paid off.

Chemistry between a basketball coach and his players is as important as X's and O's and it happens only in time, not overnight. And right now, time and a boys' basketball coach are two things Goldsboro High School simply doesn't have.