Coach Rod Drake | Owensboro Basketball, Legacy, and Knowing When It’s Time

A state championship is supposed to be the peak, but Coach Rod Drake makes a bigger claim: the banner matters because of what it does to people and to a town. Rod is the only person in KHSAA history to win a Kentucky high school basketball state championship at the same school as both a player and a head coach, and that rare arc lets us talk about Owensboro basketball as culture, responsibility, and legacy, not just highlights.

We get into why Kentucky’s “one champion” format raises the stakes, and why a team title sticks with you like a family photo that never fades. Rod shares what he tells players about simply reaching the state tournament, how a championship can open doors, and why the best memories often come from the shared work instead of individual awards. Then we zoom in on his day-to-day coaching philosophy: practice as a seventh period class, intense competition, defensive habits, and real accountability that translates to life after graduation.

Rod also gives a candid read on modern high school basketball and AAU culture, where “showcase” pressure can pull kids away from the parts of the game that actually win. We talk about leadership, player growth, what makes certain competitors different, and what “Owensboro pride” looks like when rivals clash in season and then come back together as neighbors. If you care about Kentucky basketball, coaching, player development, or building a stronger sports community, you’ll leave with practical wisdom and a clear challenge.

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Transcript

From Player To Champion Coach

SPEAKER_00 0:02

Anytime that I'm uh available to talk Owensboro basketball, just Owensboro in general, you know, I'm your man, I'll be available for you. That team championship as a player is just like having a family photo that lasts for generations and generations.

SPEAKER_02 0:20

What if I told you the night Owensboro Boys Basketball won the state championship in 1980? There was a player on that floor who would be coming back 35 years later and become the only person in KHSAA history to win a basketball state championship at the same school as a player and a coach. What if I told you this story was never about basketball? It was about a city, a standard, a jersey, and a man who spent decades carrying all three. Coach Rod Drake, welcome to All Things Owensboro. Alright guys, welcome back to All Things Owensboro. I know I say this every week, but I do have a special guest with me, uh someone who didn't just doesn't just play a part in the story of Owensboro basketball, but he helped write it. Uh he's actually one of the only, I think he is the only uh person in KS KHSSA history to play for a state championship team and then also coach a state champion team. So that's pretty cool. And so for decades, Coach Drake's been a stand a standard setter coach. I'm I'm honored to have you on and thanks for coming on today.

SPEAKER_00 1:30

Well, I really appreciate Brad. Like I say, anytime that I'm available to talk Owensboro basketball, just Owensboro in general, you know, I'm your man, I'll be available for you.

SPEAKER_02 1:38

Yeah, and so I you yeah, you see you're born and bred in Owensboro. You've been, you know, you grew up in Owensboro, you you went, like I said, you went to high school here and you played for the team and came back and coached, which is really cool. Um so you know, you have a championship as a player and a coach. What do you feel more, what do you feel more than you remember as both a player and a coach that wins the state championship?

SPEAKER_00 1:58

Well, I mean, you know, in both instances, you know, first of all as a as a high school player, I really didn't know the significance and the, you know, how how big of a deal it was until later on in life. And as being a coach, I, you know, I share those experiences. I told those kids that, you know, if you ever get that opportunity, just to go play in a state tournament is a treat within itself because I've known people that have never been there, and I know coaches that have never been there as coach and retired. And for a player to win a state championship, I mean, it's just uh it's a blessing. And I mean, it's something, you know, you know, and the one that makes it so special about the state of Kentucky, it's one champion. And I told those guys, you know, that it'll open up doors for you, the opportunities that you'll, you know, to be able to win, to be able to celebrate as a as a champion. I, you know, I play college basketball at Wesley and I've had the had the opportunity to go to a lot of individual awards, such as in, you know, player of the decade, you know, just individual awards, and that's okay. But to come back in years later and celebrate a team championship where there's more than one person, I mean, that's just that's spectacular. And you you get to watch it, you'll keep up as the time goes on. It's just like the that that team championship as a player is just like having a family photo that lasts for generations and generations.

Coaching Standards And Life Lessons

SPEAKER_02 3:07

That is true, yeah. Like you said, it's it's unique in Kentucky. If you're not from Kentucky, you're used to just being in classes. I'm from Tennessee. Uh, and so it's by class that gets that plays for a state championship, not everybody. So it is definitely unique. And so, you know, you talked about playing for Owensboro and then going to KW KWC, coming back and coaching. When did coaching in Owensboro become carrying Owensboro?

SPEAKER_00 3:28

Well, I mean, I've you know, prior to coaching, you know, in 2000, and I started my uh coaching career as assistant coach with Coach Stinnard in 2002, and I was always a uh fan from afar. And, you know, especially when you win a championship as a player, you're gonna always, you know, your heart's close to that program no matter what. And even during the bad times or which weren't very bad, even during the, I said, let's say the down times of Warnsburg basketball, you know, I feel like, you know, even not being on the staff or anything, I know it's always in the back of my mind that I could do something, you know, to help the team, you know. And that's what I tell a lot of people out here in the community. You know, you see a lot of, especially these Facebook warriors get on there and talk about the school system and talk about this. If you ever want to be a part of things and to be able to change it, get involved. Get in the ball game, go volunteer at the school, coach, you know, do something like that. So, you know, that's what's the you know, the about carrying arms, bro. That's when I really, you know, it's again, but when you take over the reins of the championship and be the head man, you know, it's really it's part of me.

SPEAKER_02 4:22

No, it's really awesome. And so, you know, I've heard from Te Ron and Brennan and others, you know, you spent a lot of your players, which is good. You're a coach, you want that. Uh, but what would someone learn about you just by watching one of your practices?

SPEAKER_00 4:34

Well, uh it was serious. And in my and in my years of coaching, my practice was was an extension of the day. It was like uh there was a seventh period class. And you know, every day in your class, you know, we have a curriculum. Every day in practice, we would uh, you know, we discuss things and and we and a lot of my practices were based on life experience. If you're late for practice, you're gonna be late in the job. Guess what happens when you're late for your job a couple of times? You're gone. So you come in here every day for practice, it's late, and you wonder why you're not playing, then you can go home and tell mom and dad why you're not playing. And also our practices were very, very intense. You know, we got after it, we spent a lot of time defensively, we start, you know, we we competed. And that and I wanted all our practices was competition, whether it was a shooting drill, sprints, or anything. It's competition because that way it keeps you focused and it keeps you hungry to compete. And that's so that's another life lesson. It prepares you. You know, a lot of people work their job, a lot of see people work jobs and their job becomes stale, and then they just show up every day. And I always wanted to have fun with this basketball, and then always it was always a hidden jewel, a lesson behind practice every day. All right.

SPEAKER_02 5:32

Well, that's really cool. And and again, it's really neat because as I listen to you talk, you're talking about, hey, I'm not just preparing these guys to win ball games, I'm making sure that when they they leave this school that they're prepared for life, which is really neat. It's really cool. And I'm I'm glad you held them accountable. And so when when did a player, maybe a player that came in and kind of was rough around the edges, uh who was a player that when you know finally turned around and understood, hey, we're playing the right way.

SPEAKER_00 5:57

You know, we you we uh earlier before we came on air, we talked about one of your employees, Tayron Hogg. And then you have another player out here, Brandon Williams. Those two guys were very, very, I would say raw. And I and I and I always told Tayron this. And you know, it sounds crazy. But I said, I used to tell Tayron, say, I said, Tayron, your best basketball is ahead of you. Well, he didn't know what I was talking about. Oh, yeah. And so as he graduated from high school, Tayron's probably one of the top players in, I'd say, in the state of Kentucky, you know, post-college players. I mean, he's headed to play ball overseas. And when I had Tayron in the ninth grade sophomore year, he was just like, he was goofy. He didn't put it together. But you know, he never quit. He showed up every day, and I always kept telling him, I said, your best basketball is ahead of you. And so it's proud to you to go out and see these kids, and when they overcome, you know, and they grow up and they realize, and you know, I had Tae Ron in the locker room with me a couple times. And not only that that class that Ta Ron came in, I think it's 17, 18. They all kind of running together with me. But that class was very, very unique. First of all, a lot of people didn't realize we only lost one regional game that year. Oh, wow. We only we only lost, we swept the region, we got beat by Davis County, our first district game. Okay. That group of kids were very, very special to me, and it's amazing is what you were talking about. Like, you know, when when did they when they found when they truly understand playing the right way? All of those kids on that team all went to play college basketball. Oh, wow. All of them played college, and anyone more importantly, they all graduated. So that that right there is a that right there stands beside, you know, I put that right up with the state championship team.

SPEAKER_02 7:24

That's really cool.

SPEAKER_00 7:25

Yeah, and I know I know some of those guys like Deontay and Deontay, yes. Yeah, they were they were good players, yes.

SPEAKER_02 7:29

They're all solid guys, I've gotten into them over the last couple years. You know, when did a team become yours in trust and not just on paper?

SPEAKER_00 7:36

Well, I tell you though, I and I tell the I tell them, you really don't know what you have until maybe January. Okay. And so because of, you know, our uh athletic department is so strong, we serve athletes. And you know, like with the football players, it depends on in Owensborough High School, it depends on I've always gazed how many basketball players you have going into the season. If you have five or six basketball players and you bring the football players home along to compliment, then you get you have a decent year. This past year, football team goes all the way. So then we're stuck. So you know that plays a part. So, you know, use around January.

SPEAKER_02 8:12

No, that's really cool. And that's something that I think a lot of people don't think about because we can talk uh all day long preseason outlook. Like you said, until you get your full roster, it's hard to tell. You know, you've coached for for 25 years. You know, what are what are some of the players, not the favoritism or anything, but just out of curiosity, but what are some players that really stood out to you and why?

SPEAKER_00 8:31

Well, I will be I will say this. I've I've done this and I and I and I'm gonna tell you this, my coaching and my previous employment with the boys and girls club, they all I was coaching and working as boys and girls club for about five or six years. And they all kind of run together. And and all those kids, like my club kids, some of them play for me. But I was and I'll tell you this, I've been very, very blessed with every kid I've coached. Responded well, you know, not any, you know, excurricular actually with those people. So and I've been very blessed that they all respected me. And so, you know, when you start singling out players, it's just it's kind of hard to sing out. Obviously, you love the championship team, the older teams, and I and I really enjoy those guys. And I tell people the well the the part that stands out with those groups, that was a very, very mature group.

SPEAKER_03 9:14

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 9:14

And you were real, and I after you coached for a long period of time, you realize that you knew you may not ever have a coaching team like that ever because they were so mature. I mean, they the the way they practiced, the way they got after practice, the way they held each other accountable. I really thought at that time when I was telling someone, I told a guy the other way, I felt like I was coaching a big time to college basketball team with those guys. You go places, you get them ready, you didn't have to do anything with them, they were ready to go.

SPEAKER_02 9:38

That's really cool. And I know one of those is Darian Marrow, I know him. Oh, yeah. He's a great guy too. And I know Terran Deontay Young on that 2015 run. But, you know, as far as having many people coming in, you know, we talked about singling people out and whatnot, but who was the one that maybe challenged you the most? And how did that change you over over that time of working with that individual?

SPEAKER_00 9:58

I really I've had a few kids. I I could tell you, Corey Gardner, he was a he was a challenging kid, but he was and if a lot of people didn't know it. Corey's very, very intelligent. And, you know, once I got when Corey and I quit bumping heads, you know, I learned from him. You know, is just as well as he learned from me. And there was uh Arius Phillips, which he and I didn't bump heads, but again, Aries was on the 2015 team. He's a he is the leader of that program right to this day. Wow. And he is that type of guy, you know, and it's something and that's why I tell people leaders are born. They can you can you can help them and polish them up a little bit, but leaders are born. And Aries is that guy, he's that leader of that whole this even up to this point, he's the leader of that team. Those guys will listen to him. A couple years ago, we were struggling at Kenyatta's senior year. Uh, we brought Morrow and Arius in, and you would have thought Arius was a grown, he was an extension of the staff the way he taught the kids, but they responded to him. That's okay. We went on a 10 10-game rule and ended up on the state. That's right. So he's he's that guy. So, you know, I would say Arius Phillips is you know the overall leader.

SPEAKER_02 11:01

Yeah, and then you know, talking about leader. So who was that? Was it Aries or was it somebody else who was more of a quiet leader for you? It was Aries.

SPEAKER_00 11:07

Arius was that guy, yes. He uh, because he could talk to those guys, and Arius wasn't very, very vocal, but he could, you know, he could he could out of the room without coaching, he could get those guys' attention.

Community Break And Kenyatta Spotlight

SPEAKER_02 11:17

Yeah, that's really cool. You know, you talked about a name, Kenyatta. Hey, quick pause. I'm Brad Winter, host of All Things Owensboro Podcast. If you're looking for a church that feels like home, we'd love to invite you to First Baptist Church Owensboro. We gather Sundays at 10 30 a.m. right next to the Blue Bridge. Infos in the show notes, and if you reach out, my family will gladly sit with you. Looking for a place to get active, connect with others, and have fun as a family? Then come check out the rec at FBC Owensboro. From open gym and a weight room to upward sports and community events, there's something for everyone. Memberships are super affordable, just$2 a day,$10 a month, or$60 a year. And get this, families, you only pay$120 max for the entire family for the whole year. And if you're a senior, college student, or one of our city heroes, like a teacher, first responder, or healthcare worker, you get a discount too. The rec is more than a gym, it's a place to belong. Kenyatta just received an offer to play for Moorhead State, which is a step up from where he was at Lindsay Wilson. You know, let's talk Kenyatta Carvin just a little bit. You know, why is this such a big deal? You know, you're able to see him from when he was younger to now, you know, scoring a thousand points already in his career.

SPEAKER_00 12:44

Well, Kenyatta's a very, very uh different, he's a different kid. Kenyatta plays hard. Uh he loves and he loves the game, whether it's football, basketball. And Kenyatta is a competitor. And I'll tell you that, you know, when when Kenyatta played for me, and you know, his I would substitute Kenyatta so we have red and black squads. So he starts off on the red squad. Well, after he's gone through it and I'm thinking he's tired, I'll take him out. Well, I'll look up next play. He's just Swiss jerseys, he's back on the black team. So you couldn't really, you know, keep he loved, he loved it. And it's not it's not a surprise that he's where he is because he, you know, you look at his size, he's rebounding, and you know, where he goes after, where he guards people. Those are the type things that you can't teach. Those are things that you it's it's in it's your heart. You know, that comes from being, you know, player, and you know, he's going uh to uh Moorhead as a division one player. Well, you know, again, it's gonna be a challenge for him, but I think he'll he'll he'll you know cherish the challenge because he's that type of guy. One of the things I found out about Kenyala is you tell him no, then he's gonna do everything within his power to chase your you know, that's cool to make sure you're wrong.

SPEAKER_02 13:43

So those are the they're those are different athletes.

SPEAKER_00 13:45

So that's those were the you know, I've I played games with him forever. I used to tell him that what so-and-so, so I could get him going so far and up. Yeah, but yeah, that's what he is. He's that type of guy.

AAU Culture And Knowing It’s Time

SPEAKER_02 13:54

Yeah, no, it's cool. I used to I've been trying to keep up with him, and he's doing a great job. Uh, you know, talking about let's just talk about the transition a little bit. You know, this year was your last year at Owensboro, and so how did you know, you know, you coach for 25 years. I even talked to Coach Edge. You know, I'm at Apollo football, and he he we've talked about, hey, when you know it's time. When when did you know it was time? It was time to move on.

SPEAKER_00 14:13

Well, I'll be honest with you, probably about three or four years. I mean, you can here's the thing about it is is you know, you can love the game, but then the challenges of, you know, the kids change, and I try not to change as much as they do, but you know, each generation is different. The kids, these kids, the kids today uh tell you the focus of of high school basketball, and it's just not their fault. The mindset of the high school kid now is four games or three games. Or they want and and and then and and it's co AAU coaches and parents, and you're telling them that you have to showcase to be seen. So if you tell a kid to showcase, what do you think a kid's gonna do? He wants to go out, he wants to show off, he wants to get all the points, but then you're losing all the other aspects of the game, defense, you know, rebounding things that way. So the game has changed to whereas the kids nowadays, and what I've come to see is they use high school basketball to get ready for AAU. And so, you know, and then they don't understand that your high school basketball is is is a lot more you know more important than AAU.

SPEAKER_03 15:11

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 15:11

But society has changed it, flipped it around. I tell people that AAU basketball is this. We grew up in Orangeborough when I was in eighth or ninth grade, and you know the city was fluctuating with great basketball players, Kenny Higgs, Jerry Thruston, and all those type of guys. Well, we got better because we went to Dugan Best every Saturday, or wherever the big ore or wherever the big boys were playing, that's where we went. And you know how much it cost us? Nothing.

SPEAKER_03 15:35

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 15:35

So nowadays you're paying$400,$1,200 a weekend to go play organized pickup. That's what you're doing. Yeah, yeah. That's exactly what it is.

SPEAKER_02 15:43

Yeah, that's cool. Oh, and I think it was even mature on your end, the fact that you guys were looking at, okay, where where are the guys who are gonna make me better playing, and let's go there and get better.

SPEAKER_00 15:52

And then again, you got to give those guys credit because they wanted us to be better. So they would come and go, hey guys, we're playing at so-and-so today, you know, and there was no excuse. Well, now you can't do that anymore. So that's the that's where it was. You know, that's when I knew it was time.

SPEAKER_02 16:05

Yeah, no, that's I mean, and I and I think there's there's I don't know, I even going through like my journey here, even here, like there's been a few things that popped up where it's like, okay, like it's it's you can kind of tell it's time. Oh, yeah. And so, or is there a moment, I guess over the last three or four years it just kind of hit you?

SPEAKER_00 16:21

No, it it didn't really, really hit me because I'm here I'll tell you about it. Being a being uh, and I'm you know I'm I've I've been a long time basketball player. I played a long time, probably longer than I should have, and I coached. And I tell people this one feeling that's the same whether you're playing a coaching and you can never get rid of it. That's losing. Yeah. A losing taste in your mouth as now everything around you. So, you know, that's when it's you know, when you know when you when the when the winning and and losing becomes like, mm, okay. And then you see the kids like, well, you know, we lost, and then they'll start giggling around, but that's when it's like, hey, maybe it's time for somebody else to do it.

SPEAKER_03 16:58

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 16:59

Maybe it's time for somebody to do it with this group of kids. Not just saying in coaching in general, because I've I've seen every phase of it where kids don't care, whatever blah. So I've I've seen the whole gamut, you know, and I've, you know, people talk about, it's funny, they talk about the the way the kids are changing here in America. You know, I played in Europe for two years. Okay. And and it was always been that way, it's like those kids went to practice every day, but they practiced with grown men. So they were supervised the entire time. It wasn't Joe Blow the AU coach, it was somebody there developing these kids. So, you know, that's what you know, that's when a moment hits you is when you start seeing things like, oh boy, it's coming. It's what I envision is happening. So yeah, that's those are moments.

SPEAKER_02 17:37

Yeah, and it's cool that you kind of I feel like it shows maturity on your end, even of like, okay, I love the game. I love, love, love the game. But at some point, you know, it's time to move on. Yeah, it's time, exactly. That's really cool. And so, you know, you you've gotten to play different places around Owensboro or really around the state. Uh, what's been your favorite gym to play in for basketball?

SPEAKER_00 17:58

Well, you were Freedom Hall was a sweet place. Oh, yeah, I didn't get that. Yeah. Freedom Hall was like a big sports center and it was a shooter's gym. The background was perfect. And of course, you know, at that time, I mean, when I grew up, Freedom Hall was one of the biggest arenas in uh the country. You know, they used to have NCAA tournaments at Freedom Hall. Yeah.

Owensboro Identity And Lasting Legacy

SPEAKER_02 18:16

So that was one of the coolest places I've ever played. That's really neat. Well, you know, you talk about you grew up in Omensboro. So what are what to you, I like to ask this every guest, but what to like to you, what makes Owensboro Owensboro?

SPEAKER_00 18:29

You know, that's why I told someone the other day, you gotta realize I went I went I played at Wesley. So I know what this city is like when you find the winner. See, and right now we're in an era and in Owensboro basketball, is that high schools are carrying the basketball. Now, when your two universities and colleges are at the top, this place is unbelievable. You know, and I tell people that all the time, you know, Owensboro, when you know at one time you had all the four local high schools, you had Kentucky Westmore's top 10 in the state, I mean country, Brescia was top 10 in the country. So that makes a difference. And the thing about Owensburg is I tell the here's my Owensboro thing is we in Owensboro, we go at it from August, first football game to a regional tournament. And then Friday after five, we all come together. That's what makes it all great about Owensboro. And I was fortunate enough to be on both specs, you know. But being an Owensboro coach, you know, in this town is rivals, it's so tough. You're Owensborough's coach. That's who you are. When I played at Wesley, you know, Dwight and I and all the guys, we were Kentucky Western Owensboro players. So that's, you know, what makes Owensboro's Owensboro is this is a great place, unique place to grow up. I mean, to raise your kids and, you know, to go out and to, you know, holler at your neighbors, you know, even your competitors. You become lifelong friends. So Owensboro's a great place. And I've have I've had opportunities to live in places. I I lived in Amsterdam for two years, and I mean so you know, as a as a 20 and 21-year-old kid, so you can imagine what that was like. But Holmesboro, I love Owensboro. I love everything about it. I've watched the growth of it. I've, you know, of all my friends and family. So, you know, it takes a special place for me to leave Owensboro.

SPEAKER_02 20:04

Yeah, that makes sense. And and it's cool that you, like you said, you have you've been to a big city. It's not like you've just been outside of Owensboro. Um, and I would agree with that too. You know, it's funny because on the foot, like again, football field, basketball court, tensions are high, they've all grown up playing with each other. But the second, like you said, the second summer comes around who they're hanging out with each other. Each other. And so it's it's really it's really unique. I I don't know if I've been anywhere that's been like that.

SPEAKER_00 20:27

And uh, I'll tell you another unique place, and I and none of these kids around here have seen it. Have you ever been in a sports center where there's seven or eight thousand people? No, I I really would love to see that. I mean, it's unbelievable, and that's what I tell somebody. I said, it's almost it's hard to explain to go see the crowds, and you know, even I mean, when I was at Wesley, a guy told a guy one time, you know, just being sarcastic, I said, you know, in 1984, me, Michael Jackson, and Michael Joy, you know, we all had in common. We never performed in front of an empty seat. Oh, wow. That's cool. Yeah, yeah. You're in good company there.

SPEAKER_02 21:02

I told him I said, you know, we never performed in front of an empty seat. That's cool. And so, well, you know, you talk about, you know, you got to play at, you know, you talked about Freedom Hall and talked about playing in a packed uh sports center, which I've been here since 2020, and I've yet to see that. And I and I do imagine what it would be like. But you know, when it talks about, when we talk about like your legacy, and I know it's probably more of the morbid side of things, but I think it's always good to reflect on, even while you're still around, and that is, you know, what kind of legacy do you want to leave here in Owensboro?

SPEAKER_00 21:29

I just, you know, I was a good guy, treated everybody fairly. And always my motto is you wait you wait, you wait your turn, you don't jump in line in front of people, you treat everybody the same. You treat everybody the same, you know, you don't have anybody mad at you. Why? You know, because that's just me, you know. I've you know, I've always been an Owensboro person, and uh my legacy, you know, every time I go places now, it's like I remember you did this at at the Boys and Girls Club, or you helped me do this. And and again, as I talked about earlier, you know, a lot of guys get on Facebook and want to do this and cry about why this is not going. If you want, if you want, what if you want? Leave you, Lexi. Get out here and volunteer. Get out and help these kids. Change life.

SPEAKER_02 22:03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 22:03

You know what I'm saying? Get out here and do what's right.

SPEAKER_02 22:05

Yeah, and it's really cool. I've I've even just from when I had I had Taylor working for me, I saw a lot of that too. Like that was his kind of motto. You got one in there, Brennan? Yeah, Brennan.

SPEAKER_00 22:14

Brennan, those kids, those guys like they're people and they like to be around people and they're and then number one, they're positive kids.

SPEAKER_02 22:20

Yeah, they're very positive. That's neat. And so, well, a question I didn't get a chance to ask you before we before we're going to rapid fire, and that is really, you know, for you, you know, I've always been told just because you're a good player does not make you a good coach. And obviously you you show that you can be a good player and a good coach, and it does happen. But for you, like what what led you from, hey, I'm playing to let's dabble into some coaching. Like, what what was that what was that transition for you there?

SPEAKER_00 22:44

Well, I know I explained the I was I don't know. I've just been blessed. You know, when I was 18 years old, 19 years old, I we had uh one of the first AAU teams in Owensboro.

SPEAKER_03 22:54

Oh, okay.

SPEAKER_00 22:55

And it was probably the best team that's ever been Owensboro. I'm talking we had Marcus Robson, we had Rex Chapman.

SPEAKER_03 23:01

Oh, wow.

SPEAKER_00 23:01

We had David Hall, and it's the AAU team. I'm missing look, you know, probably forgetting a few players, but all those kids went to play college basketball. I was 19 years old. And we went all the way to the national finals, the final four.

SPEAKER_03 23:13

Oh, wow.

SPEAKER_00 23:14

We got to the Olympic Village, and that was a I was a kid, and I was experiencing you know what the biggest thing was for us when we got on the campus, back then they used to have the AAU tournament, it would be on a big campus. So we were at Notre Dame. We were at Notre Dame, okay? All these teams come in, they got these travel uniforms on. Some of them even rode in buses. We had rental cars.

SPEAKER_03 23:31

Oh, did you?

SPEAKER_00 23:31

So we get to we get to South Bend and we play, and we all of a sudden, you know, a couple games we're into, we're blowing people out. And everybody's like, who's these guys from Kentucky? Well, then next thing you know, like I said, I'm 18, 19 years old, I'm running into Eddie Sutton. All these guys want to beat our team. And yeah, you know, I'm I'm still playing I like you. I'm still playing it. Well, I'm acting still playing. So being around those kids and you know, it was just amazing. And I got a I got to like it. I said, man, this would be cool to be a coach, and you know, all those head coaches being around. But I'll tell you that that's one of the things about working with kids and sharing drink stories. You know, one of our uh friend of ours who just passed away here, Saturday, Chucky Taylor. And I grew up with Chucky. Chucky was a heck of a basketball player, and uh, you know, you we were sitting back just talking and sharing some moments. That AAU team we had was probably, again, one of the best, but you know what the biggest highlight was when we got up to Notre Dame, what we was hearing about? There was some 13-year-old kid with headgear on knocking people out. I'm thinking, who would it be? You know what it was? Who's it? Mike Tyson. And Mike Tyson. Oh, wow. So that was, I thought that was cute. You know, as you look back over history, that's the guy that was doing that. But that was a great team. And, you know, to ask you a question, just being around the game and you know, you see what you can do. And then again, you know, I'm a poor boy from the West End of Onsborough. Basketball took me around the world.

SPEAKER_02 24:43

That's cool. You know, yeah. Well, and again, I I one more question for you. I didn't include this. You know, if someone's listening to this and they're thinking, I I want to coach. I don't I don't know where to start, you know, whether they know you as Coach Drake or maybe they're at a different school, whatever the case may be, uh, what advice would you give them as as someone who wants to maybe coach in the future?

SPEAKER_00 25:04

Watch the game. Just watch it. Because uh what happens is not till I just want a thing I explain to my players. You have all technology and all the you know tools available now. Watch the game. The game is just like anything else. You know, I and when I say this, like guys that I play with, terminologists, you know, they're talking about cherry picking and this and that, you know, those terms not used anymore. Watch the game. The nowadays, the announcers on there, they'll tell you. I tell our kids they'll tell you, especially Jimmy Dykes is one of the best.

SPEAKER_03 25:34

Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 25:35

Here's what they're trying to do, ladies and gentlemen, blah, blah, blah. And you're watching this, okay, I've seen it before. And so just watch the game, pick it up, and then as you know, just like anything, the more you put tap whatever you put into it is what you'll get out of it.

Rapid Fire And Final Words

SPEAKER_02 25:47

You know, no, that's awesome. All right, well, we're gonna go into 270 seconds of fame. Okay. So it's rapid fire. Uh just real quick, I'll ask you some simple questions, get your get your thoughts on it, and we'll move on to the next question. Are you ready, Coach? Yes, sir. All right. The first one is are you more of a college guy or NBA?

SPEAKER_00 26:02

Uh, NBA. MBA. College. I'm sorry, I'm a college guy. Yeah. Are you Kentucky? Uh I'm a I'm a basketball fan. I don't want to put that out there. I love I love watching. I love watching basketball games because I don't want to get caught up and just waiting on this team to play. With the question that you've asked me, if you're gonna be a coach, you just can't watch Kentucky play. Yeah, yeah, no, that's right.

SPEAKER_02 26:21

So as a coach, would you for defense was it more man or zone for you? Man to man. Okay. Uh motion or sets? Sets. Sets, all right. Shot clock or not? Yes, shot clock. All right. Best drill you like to run with your team?

SPEAKER_00 26:34

Uh defensive drill, take charge drill.

SPEAKER_02 26:36

Okay. Uh, toughest environment that you've ever played in or coached in.

SPEAKER_00 26:40

Uh, anytime you go to Evansville, Bossy, it's always tough because it's funny because a lot when I early on, everybody talked about this ain't the sports center. You know, they're talking about the Western games and all that coaching. You know, the rival with Bruce Brussels. Indiana was always tough. I told somebody over there, I used to make a sarcastic joke with the bossy coach. I said, I found out the reason why the Globetron's never played over here. You looked at me.

SPEAKER_02 27:02

They're worse than Philly Channel. Yeah, that's right. Yeah. All right, well, uh see, what's the best adjustment you ever made as a coach?

SPEAKER_00 27:08

Halftime of the uh Brett County game, uh 20, I think it might have been 20 uh 19, 18, uh Darien Wemster gets hurt, and he's our best player, and we're playing against Brett County, and they have a uh we beat him in overtime in the regional finals to go to state. Oh, wow. And so my and I and I couldn't remember word for word, but we just talked about, you know, stepping up in life. You know, sometimes, you know, you may be things happening. And what I had told them was uh I was telling the story about my mother passing away and how things hit you, and you just gotta move on sometimes, you know, and that's what we talked about. So that was probably my best speech, and they responded, we won in overtime.

SPEAKER_02 27:46

That's awesome. Uh, who is your favorite coach? Rick Pettino. Rick Pettino. Well, what do you what makes him your favorite coach?

SPEAKER_00 27:53

Well, you know, I don't think people realize how great a coach he was when he took the there was an 86 team up here in Kentucky at Mountain Potoke those guys. One thing about Rick Patino is Rick Patino is he he he loves the game where he uh he produces, he develops players. He doesn't have to go out here and get the top number one Gator Raiders. Every player Rick Patino gets if you look at Donovan uh mentioned. He goes against the average guy and just make and they work at it, he makes them love it, and that's what happened. And then people always say they hate him in the beginning, but they love him in the end.

SPEAKER_02 28:23

Oh, yeah, yeah. No, that's cool. Uh what's your who's the well you might have the same answer for this, but who's the coach you study the most?

SPEAKER_00 28:30

Uh Rick Patino.

SPEAKER_02 28:31

Okay. Uh well, who's a player that you admire? Could you pass president? Oh, I was a magic gossip guy. Okay. All right. Uh player you wish you coached.

SPEAKER_00 28:41

Uh, you know, uh, there's several people out there, and you know, and I'll tell you this, you know, one of what I was we alluded to earlier about playing pickup ball, I was very, very fortunate to play against my high school, or my idol, Kenny Higgs. Okay. Kenny Higgs played professional basketball back then. So, you know, I mean, Walt Fraser and all those names were still playing, but you know, to be able to coach with Kenny and play. Kenny, Kenny made a lot of basketball players out in this area, just playing with it.

SPEAKER_02 29:08

That's cool. Um, all right, so uh what's a coaching habit you will never compromise on? I don't know. Alright, that's totally fine. Uh, in your opinion, what's the best gym in Owensboro? Owensboro. I finished probably playing everything, but uh, what's a player that everybody remembers? Oh, Eric Holman. Eric Holman, okay. All right, and then the last one I have for you is uh one word for Owensboro basketball.

unknown 29:35

The best.

SPEAKER_02 29:36

The best. Actually, I got a few more for you. Are you a barbecue or mutting guy?

SPEAKER_00 29:40

Uh I'll tell you what. I've had so much around here. I'm a I'll I'm a barbecue.

SPEAKER_02 29:45

Barbecue, okay. Gotcha, gotcha. I just figured I'd throw that in there and ask you. All right, well, coach, you passed, that's great. Uh I figure Owensboro will be the best gym you played in. Uh, but before we go, I like to ask this. I never put it in the questions just because it's a it's a fun question. I think a lot of gold comes on the on the spot type deal. Uh, but if someone listens to this podcast and they don't they don't remember anything else that you've said, like what is one thing challenging, advice-wise, whatever you want to leave them. What's what's one thing you would like to leave them?

SPEAKER_00 30:11

Advice. And I tell people this, and I'll tell you one thing here. One of the greatest things in life is to do what people say you couldn't do. That's one of the greatest things for me, a pops, you know. Uh, you know, when I first started coaching, I had people, you know, second guess, you know, can he do this? And you know, that you know, it it is, it is what it is, but you know, that's the greatest thing is to doing something, doing things that people say that you can't do. And that that's for me, that ought to be every that ought to be in every kid's mind or every adult's to keep grinding. And I know a lot, you know, that in this day and era, you know, everybody's thinking, but oh man, I can't wait to retire. I'm not gonna, I mean, I'll never be able to retire because I'm not that type of person.

SPEAKER_03 30:49

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 30:49

You know, like I said, I I have uh and I retired from resigned from coaching high school basketball, but that doesn't mean I'm not willing to coach again now, because I'm eager to get, you know, after I take a year off, I'm eager to, you know, step on another campus someplace, you know, college player. Yeah. You know, to just keep grinding and stay with it. Don't give up. I mean, this world is full of guys who just quit. Don't quit. And whatever it is, I know the day may not seem, you know, just just keep grinding, stay with it. That's what I tell all the kids. Anything and day to day, anything can happen. We all have bad days, but it's how you how you uh how you perform during those bad times. Does anybody know that you're having a bad day because you're showing it on your face? Or, you know, nobody was you go out and get 50 points and somebody say, You might have a bad day today and didn't even realize it.

SPEAKER_02 31:30

So that's really cool. Well, coach, it's been an honor getting to talk with you. Uh, thanks for coming on. It's really cool getting to hear your story of not just a coach, but a player as well. And I'm really glad Taylor was able to connect us and best of luck to whatever your next adventure is after you take that uh year off of reflecting and figuring things out. Uh, but uh I know you'll do great wherever you go, coach.

SPEAKER_00 31:49

I appreciate you, and I thank you.

SPEAKER_02 31:51

Yes, sir. Thanks for tuning in to All Things Owensboro, where we celebrate the stories, people, and places that make our city special. If you enjoyed today's episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves this town as much as you do. Until next time, Owensboro, keep loving local, supporting one another, and making Owensboro a place we're all proud to call home.