PREP BASKETBALL: Cobb hired as new Princeton head varsity boys' coach

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on June 7, 2017 6:55 AM

• Print
• Email

rcoggins@newsargus.com

PRINCETON -- The only thing missing was a six-shooter.

Minus that small detail, David Cobb shot from the hip with a calm -- but firm -- demeanor Tuesday afternoon.

He's now the "top dog" at Princeton.

With JV and varsity players seated at tables in the media center, Principal Jarvis Ellis introduced Cobb as the new head varsity basketball coach. He replaces Jeff Davis, who was dismissed upon the conclusion of this past season.

"We've looked hard to find a good varsity coach and we've done just that," Ellis told the players. "We're very excited to have Coach David Cobb."

Welcome home, coach.

Cobb started his coaching career at West Brunswick -- a brief stint that ended when the varsity basketball job became vacant in his home town. He got hired in 1988 and spent 10 seasons on the bench.

Three future Major League Baseball draftees -- Scott Musgrave, current PHS varsity baseball coach Justin Willoughby and Rodney Ormond -- played basketball during that era.

After the decade-long tenure, Cobb meandered over to Southern Wayne. He followed up that short stay with one-year campaigns at Princeton and Selma middle schools.

He ended his career at West Johnson and stepped into the administration world. But the old "peach basket" sport -- invented by James Naismith -- remained his passion and eventually beckoned him back to the court.

"Hindsight...if I knew then what I know now, I never would have left Princeton. Leaving, then going to another school, and coming back made me see how special this place is," Cobb said.

"As far as coming back, the best 10 years of my coaching/educational career were at this school and I loved working here. I miss practice more than any of it. Working with the kids is just fun."

Cobb inherits a program that finished 11-16 and advanced to the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-A playoffs this past winter. The Bulldogs return two of their top three scorers -- Colby Sullivan and Garrett Klein -- and five of eight players overall who saw court time.

Princeton compiled six 15-win campaigns, made 10 playoff appearances in the past 11 seasons and claimed the Carolina 1-A regular-season title in 2011 with Davis.

A meticulous planner who breaks down game film frame by frame, Cobb expressed his expectations -- be a student-athlete first, show strong character in school and within the community, sportsmanship and follow team rules.

His coaching philosophy?

Defense foremost.

Rebounding.

Fundamentals.

Teamwork.

"I know this conference. I know the teams you play. I know the schools," Cobb said. "I have been watching y'all play. We're not going to match up a lot of times, be able to run and jump with a lot of teams. Defense will take care of that if you work hard.

"I already know who two of the starters are going to be on this basketball team -- the best defender and the best rebounder."

Cobb is willing to build his team based on its skills.

In high school, you can't recruit what you get.

It's the size of the fight in the Bulldog that matters.