Haywood state champion boys basketball coach Kendall Dancy resigns

BROWNSVILLE - Through a storied athletic history, only one coach has ever won a TSSAA state championship at Haywood High School.

On Wednesday, Kendall Dancy resigned as the boys basketball coach after leading them to the 2015 Class AA state championship.

"It was the right time because it is home and we are up," Dancy said. "We are returning some really talented players that work hard. You always want to leave something better than you find it, especially when it pertains to home."

In his seven years at Haywood, the Tomcats have a 170-59 record, winning 74.2 percent of the games he coached in.

"To do something that has never been done is special within itself, but to do it at home at the school and community that raised you is more than a dream come true," Dancy said about winning the first state title. "Haywood is home to the best people in the world to me."

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He led them to two state tournaments, and Haywood reached the region semifinals in five of the seven years.

During his tenure at Haywood, three players have gone on to play on the NCAA level in Jordon Varnado (Troy), Dedric Boyd (Eastern Kentucky) and Tristan Jarrett (Kennesaw State).

"The biggest thing I take away is seeing the young men after they leave and come back," Dancy said. "And they realize the daily grind to be a part of something special was worth it. To see them as better men and better people for the time we spent together. And they have helped me become a better person, a better man."

Dancy will remain at the school as a history teacher through the end of the year, and he will be there through the transition process to do all that he can to help the new coach.

West Tennessee fans can rest assured that Dancy won't be away from the sidelines long as he wants to try and build another program in the area.

"I enjoy the process of building something special, the building of a program, from working with individual players on building their skill set and defining role to the day-to-day grind to getting the team to reach its full potential," Dancy said. "It is a challenge. I am open to boys or girls basketball. It is the team building and then to see the success."

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Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754. Follow him on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.