After 14 years at Little Cypress-Mauriceville, basketball coach Darin Harley is calling this season his last with the Bears.
He’s been the head coach the last 11 seasons with 7 postseason appearances.
“My wife (Shelly) and I are now empty nesters,” he said. “She did anesthesia at the Orange hospital. When it closed we thought it would be a good time to go back to northeast Texas where we grew up.”
Anyone that coaches, at any level, dreams of coaching their children and Harley got to coach all three of his boys. Seth, Christian and Caleb all came through the LCM program during Harley’s tenure. Harley said, “In reflection, coaching my three sons was one of my greatest experiences here. However, I do not think any of them knew that at the time. I understand I am not easy to play for, but that was ten times worse if you were my son. But I also enjoyed coaching my players. Teaching young people basketball to me is teaching young people about life. Perseverance, teamwork, and loyalty are the attributes I try to instill.”
What will Harley do in his new home? “My next adventure is to teach a few more years,” he said. The wife said I cannot retire until she does. As far as coaching, I am not sure. I enjoy it, but I also enjoy traveling, tailgating OU football games, and being more relaxed as I grow older.”
Harley is a die hard Sooners fan and currently the basketball team is in the top five. So can they win the title? Harley said, ” I am not a proponent of “live by the three, die by the three”. That does not mean that they can’t win. I certainly hope they do, but I think “sooner” or later teams go cold from long range.
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