Being a part of the basketball community, there's been many times in which I would notice a former teammate and/or coach move on up from one sports-based job to another. A number of career positions remain possible with surrounding fields of coaching, broadcasting, skills training, athletics communication, and more. It inevitably takes hard work to find and keep a job in the sports world as a former athlete; making connections holds an imperative role. I've learned more about this in over a year of scouting for high school basketball. Other than focusing on my own circumstances, I've also always found satisfaction in seeing my peers reach success in landing new opportunities. Frankly, it's never really an easy process to go through but the end result makes it all worthwhile. Darius Wilson, a long-time basketball mentor of mine, had me grinning yesterday (9/5) when I found out the news had been made official of his title as Woodbridge High School's (Woodbridge, VA) new girls varsity basketball head coach. I never exactly played under or with him, nor is this his first time on the sidelines for high school basketball, but the different type of task he's taking on has me excited for what's to come quite soon.
Those who read my September 2018 article on Wilson's AAU organization, 'Higher Level Academy,' can probably recall how I explained my tie-in with the 34-year old goes back to seven years ago when I (as a 16-year old) first started training with him and other local players in Northern Virginia. 'Higher Level' started back over a decade ago in 2008 and Wilson currently serves as the CEO, head skills trainer, and head coach for the 17u boys travel team. Whoever chooses to go on the program's Instagram page (@higherlvlsports) can view video clips that show hours of gym work from Wilson's clients, usually filmed by the CEO himself. I know I describe various guys as gym rats but he takes it to an entirely new level'depending on the season, Wilson will sometimes start in the gym as early as 4 or 5 a.m. and not depart until nightfall arrives. He eat, breathes, and sleeps with a basketball in his corner.
After holding stints as an assistant coach for both Paul VI Catholic High School (Fairfax, VA) and Bowie State University (Prince George County, MD) years ago, Wilson decided to take a hiatus from the coaching realms and used knowledge to expand his training for all levels of the game. I've seen his trainees range from young elementary/middle schoolers to NBA G-League professionals. His beneficial instruction has had a large impact on many hoopers who choose to step into the gym for his sessions. Nonetheless, that love for coaching didn't ever disappear during Wilson's time away. So, when it recently became known that Tamika Dudley left a highly successful 2018-19 Woodbridge girls team to pursue a new head coaching gig at Sidwell Friends School (Washington D.C.), Wilson found his calling for a new challenge. The move will show anything but a different change to his overall approach, however, and I had some time yesterday evening to ask Wilson a few more questions about his upcoming hopes for this 2019-20 season and future with the Woodbridge Vikings:
What pulled you into seeking out the Woodbridge job, initially'
'My knowledge of Woodbridge actually traces back to years ago; I know Tamika Dudley and have watched her work over the last decade to build this program up into the way it is now. I've also trained her past players during available time in the preseason and postseason. Once I learned she was stepping down, I figured I might as well give it a shot to put my name out there. I've taken the past four seasons off from coaching to focus on training and support all types of players on their own teams. In looking for a candidate, I think the girls might have saw me as a guy they were more comfortable with since I've known them for a while.'
Based on what you know, what type of team were the Vikings last season'
'Watching last year's team, I believe their final record was 29-1 and they won the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 6 state championship. They were fast, athletic, got the ball down the floor, big inside, dominated the glass, and pressured on defense. It was a REALLY good group. Every time I saw them, they were just all over the court.'
Any particular hopes/expectations for this year's group in your first year'
'As a first-year coach, the primary mission is to get better every day; every second and every minute. It'll start with our off-season workouts, going into fall league games, in-season practices, and so on. We just want to get better and take it one day at a time. Of course, with every team's likely expectations, you want to win all that you can: the conference, region, and state tournament. That's the ultimate goal but the expectation is to work our butts off in the classroom, on the court, and in the weight room. Coming in with a mentality of learning and hard work should lead to the chips falling right where they may.'
I've always noticed the strong values instilled within your Higher Level Academy program'do you plan to bring those same type of values over to Woodbridge'
'Absolutely. With my coaching experience at Paul VI under Glen Farello, Bowie State under Darrell Brooks, and being an AAU coach showed me a lot and I now hope to bring in an atmosphere likewise to a college feel. Tamika Dudley did such a great job of setting a tone and creating the legwork to run it in that matter. Our new athletic director is on board with us to implement watching film, focusing on skill, IQ, and the manner of which our girls train their bodies. So, they'll receive it all in what they could expect at the college level. We even have a few road trips to take for games in Atlanta and New York. That'll furthermore show what we can do away from home.'
Did you ever find yourself missing that feeling of coaching high school over the past few years'
'I definitely did. Training allowed me to support all of the players I coached in our AAU program, along with also seeing college games and college practices. I had more freedom to expand my knowledge but I started to miss the preparation aspect. Other coaches should know what I mean; preparing for a rivalry game, for example. I started to miss being on the sideline, communicating with coaches in huddles, and other little things. The fall and winter had a different feeling to it and I couldn't really look forward to coaching until the spring time for AAU.'
Thoughts on girls' basketball in Northern Virginia'
'From what I've watched, it's a different breed of basketball from county to county. You can see the differences once you start to cross over lines. Prince William County teams play a bit more athletically with pretty good playmakers, as they can make things happen off of the dribble. On the other hand, Fairfax County teams slow the game down more. They're fundamentally sound in running their sets. I think girls' basketball in our area gets pretty good publicity though. Some of the power players attend private school and play at a high level.'
'I believe that the landscape of girls' basketball in Northern Virginia is starting to pick up, as I've witnessed the 2023 and 2022 class mature. A lot of those girls are starting to grow physically and increase their commitment level of being a better basketball player. They're setting goals very high and making sure they take care of workouts on their own when appropriate. I think the sport is at a really good spot right now. Big wins will elevate it even more, of course. Coaches have been doing a great job of development and I feel we might see an explosion in years to come.'
What can your players expect from you as a head coach'
'One of the things that all of my players can expect from me is that I'm a players' coach. I'm heavy on building relationships, learning about them, and understanding both my own expectations of them and their expectations of me. It's very important for me to be open to our players in order for them to feel good. That way, they have a stronger chance of performing their best. But, overall, I'd say I'm open, easygoing, and a developmental coach first and foremost. I constantly try to get those players to encourage one another and always bring my own high energy to the gym every day. One major thing I've learned in the past is that, in your mind as a coach, it's not the end-all-be-all. It's about how you can convey the message to the players about whatever they need to do to be successful. That requires a lot of faith and patience.'
Woodbridge, you all definitely landed a good one. One of Northern Virginia's finest!