Riverdale names Dyersburg’s Coffman next girls hoops coach

MURFREESBORO – Randy Coffman spent 17 years in Dyersburg where he raised a family and helped the Lady Trojans become a basketball power with three trips to the state tournament.

Now, he’s ready to come to the ’Boro and play in the toughest girls basketball district in the state.

Coffman was named Riverdale’s next girls basketball coach on Tuesday. He replaces Wendi Scott, who resigned a week ago after finding out she was pregnant with her third child.

“This is 7-AAA, the best basketball district in the state,” Coffman said. “You get to coach against some of the best in the state and you get to coach some of the best players in the state. I’m excited.

“We’ve been very fortunate to have some good kids here too. But never on the level and the quantity in a league like you have in 7-AAA. It’s a great challenge for me.”

Coffman’s hiring ends a whirlwind over the past couple months for the Lady Warriors. Riverdale was removed from the Region 4-AAA tournament by the TSSAA after the Lady Warriors and Smyrna attempted to tank the District 7-AAA consolation game.

Both teams were put on probation for next school year. And both team’s coaches — Riverdale’s Cory Barrett and Smyrna’s Shawn Middleton — were suspended for the 2015-16 school year as coaches.

Barrett eventually resigned. That led to Scott being named the head coach. However, a month later she resigned when she decided she couldn’t dedicate the proper amount of time as coach to the team along with being an expectant mother.

But Riverdale principal Tom Nolan wasted little time finding another established head coach.

“I think we got a good one,” Nolan said. “Knows how to coach girls. He’s been there 17 years.

“I think he’s going to fit in perfectly with our kids and system. We’re excited. He was in a comfort zone there. I think he’s ready to step up and take our program where it needs to be.”

Coffman had a 367-159 record at Dyersburg with six district championships, went to five sectionals and three state tourneys. Dyersburg finished Class AAA runner-up to Mt. Juliet in 2005 after defeating Oakland 36-33 in a semifinal game.

Family decisions have helped him stay in Dyersburg, Coffman said. He has a son that will be a senior next season. However, he’s given his dad his blessing to relocate.

“My kids have always played a part in my decisions,” Hoffman said. “Murfreesboro is a great area. We have family there already.

“We love the Murfreesboro area with all of the sports there. And you get to coach in a program with a great tradition like Riverdale.”

Coffman said he believes his longevity at Dyersburg may have helped spike Nolan’s interest.

The past three coaches (not including Scott) have each won a state title. But all three have also spent less than five years at the school as coach.

“I’m not one to chase talent,” Coffman said. “I stayed (at Dyersburg) and developed talent. I think I come here as a stable guy. We are moving the family and doing the right thing for us. It’s really an exciting time.”

Contact Tom Kreager at 615-278-5168 or at tkreager@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kreager.