Drew Lyness, center, talks to the Soddy-Daisy girls' basketball team during a timeout in a game in November 2016.Right after Drew Lyness received the call to become Walker Valley High School's new girls' basketball coach, the high-energy 32-year-old jumped right back on the phone.
"My parents are two of my biggest fans and mean the absolute world to me. I called them first thing because they have always been there for me," said Lyness, who accepted the Lady Mustangs job Wednesday. "I was speechless when I called them. It was an enjoyable and emotional phone call."
Lyness spent the past eight seasons with the Soddy-Daisy girls' basketball program, where he won a career-high 13 games in 2015 and 2016.
The Red Bank graduate is excited to take over a program with a rich tradition.
Since the school opened, the Lady Mustangs have compiled a record of 394-173 (.695) with trips to the state tournament in 2005 and 2010.
"Walker Valley has been known for basketball for quite some time," Lyness said. "We are still in that challenging district (5-AAA), but year in and year out this school has been steady and competed at a very high level. They always shoot it well, so I am excited about that, too."
Lyness won 50 games in six seasons leading the Lady Trojans. He takes over for Paul Cretton, who recently retired after going 57-59 in four seasons with the Lady Mustangs.
Drew and his younger sister Bailey McGinnis, who is the girls' coach at Red Bank, will reconnect wearing different colors. They will play each other for the ninth time this coming season. Bailey leads the all-time series 5-3.
Former Bradley Central star Kaylan Withrow, who was an All-America sharpshooter for Auburn-Montgomery, will follow Lyness to Walker Valley.
"We are ready to build relationships and bring the passion right away," said Lyness, who also has coached high school football for 10 seasons. "I feel like we can change things up a little bit and bring a new energy to getting after it."
Knowing a bittersweet goodbye is ahead, Lyness is grateful for the road to his next chapter.
"I was able to work with my best friend, Jared Hensley, for the past eight years," he said. "The relationships I've built at Soddy-Daisy will stay with me forever. I loved being here. I am thankful for this chance and will give it my best shot."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.