Derek Mills, Track, 1990 One of three DeMatha grads to earn an Olympic gold medal. One fact, in particular, overwhelmed the conversation: that none of Joness assistants were even considered, let alone consulted about the schools plans. Jaylen Brown. Now its pretty much like: F yall. Like other parents, he spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid retribution against his son. Jordan Hawkins Head Coach Bishop OConnell HS, Tyrell Ward Steve Settles Probably, to some degree, both sides. Daquan Davis finished with a team-high 21 points, seven rebounds and three assists along with the game-winning basket. DeMatha Basketball, DeMatha Basketball, Coaches, Alumni, Athletes, Mike Jones, Morgan Wootten, Victor Oladipo, Quinn Cook, Jerami Grant, Markelle Fultz, Hunter Dickinson, Justin Moore, Jemari Young, Earl Timberlake, SportsMarkit, Stags, WCAC, WCAC Basketball, Maryland Basketball, Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, DeMatha Catholic High School Hyattsville, Maryland, Mike Jones, Coach Mike Jones, Coach Wooten, Nike Basketball, Nike Elite Basketball, David Aldridge, James Brown, Carsten Kogelnik, Jeff Peterson, Justin Moore, Steve Settles, Thaire Vance, Joshua Wallace, Jahmir Young, Earl Timberlake, Paul Smith, Elijah Hawkins, Jordan Hawkins, Will Reynolds, Tyrell Ward, Rodney Rice Jr, Bryson Hill, Aaron Roberson, Jerrell Roberson, bp-nouveau,page-template-default,page,page-id-1683,theme-bridge,qode-quick-links-1.0,woocommerce-no-js,ajax_fade,page_not_loaded,,no_animation_on_touch,qode_grid_1300,footer_responsive_adv,hide_top_bar_on_mobile_header,columns-4,qode-theme-ver-11.1,qode-theme-bridge,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-5.7,vc_responsive,no-js. Paul VI dropped to 28-3 and were paced by Harris-Smith (24 points), Darren Harris (14 points), Ngongba (11 points), Hammond (seven points), Isaiah Abraham (four points) and Jaquan Womack (three points). Todd Beckerman, Wrestling, 1996 A legendary prep career with a record of 208-1 the only loss coming during his freshman year. Its like a spit in the face to every Black athlete that put that program on the map. University of Connecticut (UConn) Had a 14-year pro career and now is general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers. DeMatha helped shape me into who I am today. As second edition of the book was published in 2003, and a third edition in 2012, co-authored with Joe Wootten. In the WCAC boys basketball quarterfinal games, St. Johns defeated Good Counsel, 68-63; Paul VI defeated Bishop Ireton, 77-52; DeMatha topped Bishop OConnell, 66-63; and Gonzaga defeated McNamara, 72-47. Ben Hammond got the ball to WCAC Player of the Year DeShawn Harris-Smith who heaved up an NBA trey attempt from approximately 35 feet away. Mustaf played under Strickland when he was Woottens assistant, and Strickland, who taught English, was Mustafs favorite teacher. Nor should I. I dont even want to try, even during this most absorbing stretch of the sports calendar. Given the talent on its roster Tyrell Ward and Rodney Rice are two of the top-rated college prospects in the class of 2022, and Jacoi Hutchinson is a highly touted rising junior DeMatha also had to worry about other schools trying to lure players away amid uncertainty. WCAC girls Player of the Year: McNamaras Madisen McDaniel. What the hell have I been out here doing, and what am I a part of? During his time at Florida State, the team won the ACC championship, which was the first time in school history, and made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. With 16 seconds left in the game and the Stags down 62-70, starting PG Jaden Winston grabbed an offensive rebound and put up a tough layup, was fouled, and got the and-one. Assistant Coach George Mason, Pete Strickland 75 Danny Ferry, Basketball, 1985 Played in three Final Fours at Duke, where he was named All-America and won the Naismith Award as a senior. Wootten, who died last year, was the first high school coach to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. [4][6], UCLA basketball coach John Wooden (19102010) described his admiration for Wootten when he said, "I know of no finer coach at any level high school, college or pro. Joshua Wilson (born March 11, 1985) is a former American football cornerback. Jeff Allen is a professional basketball player. Bryson Hill Jones, the face of the areas most celebrated high school sports program, was offered the top assistant position May 5, he said in a phone interview Monday. Copyright 2023 Catholic Standard In the fall, St. Johns won the WCAC football championship and also titles in boys and girls cross country, girls field hockey and girls soccer. For so many fans, who dont even know me, to reach out and say they wanted me to join this community? DeMatha Catholic High School is a four-year Catholic high school for boys located in Hyattsville, Maryland, United States. St. John's (30-2) - Last week: 2. Morgan State University At DeMatha, Williams became a better player, but Morgan used basketball to teach him about life. He was surrounded by his wife Kathy and family. In junior high, he went to school in Greenbelt, where his basketball coach arranged for Morgan Wootten to come see him play. This article was published more than1 year ago. St. Johns knocked down one trey, 16 buckets and 13 free throws for their 48 points. [11] Wootten was one of the founders of the McDonald's All-American Game, whose annual player of the year award is named in his honor. Adrian Francis Branch (born November 17, 1963) is a retired American professional basketball player. Last month, a week after the hire was announced, the school organized a meeting between Strickland and parents. . Coming off a challenging, pandemic-condensed season, some found out about Strickland on social media. The Debrief: Tim Carney on Chicago mayoral race being about rising crime, The Debrief: Conn Carroll on HHS encouraging illegal child labor. We did not want the student-athletes to feel as if theyre being abandoned. Blakeney, who is Black, compares the transition to the one unfolding at his college alma mater, Duke, which announced a plan to have Jon Scheyer as coach-in-waiting for the retiring Hall of Fame legend, Mike Krzyzewski. But in life sometimes theres decisions that you make that are for the betterment of your family, and thats what this decision is.. In 46 seasons as the head coach of DeMatha basketball, he won five high school national championships, 22 Washington, D.C. titles, and 33 WCAC championships. In the fourth quarter, St. Johns led for the first 5:20 of game action. Portland Trail Blazers, Jerian Grant 10 I cant sleep, he said, because it bothers my conscience. During the school day, he told the DeMatha administration and his players. Paul VI, the 2021-22 WCAC boys basketball champions, then inbounded from 94 feet away and immediately called timeout. [1][5], When he retired in 2002, Wootten's career coaching record stood at 1,274-192. Then, with merely two seconds remaining, the Panthers inbounded again from 70 feet away. WCAC girls basketball Coach of the Year: McNamaras Frank Oliver. Cincinnati Royals, Adrian Dantley 73 It has, quite simply a sharp shooting, smooth-handling, defense . Chase Young, star defensive end for the Washington Football Team, is among many DeMatha graduates to reach the NFL. Orlando Magic, John Jones 62 We already had an interim., Aaron Proia, a video coordinator, is one of two assistants to leave the program since Strickland was hired. Strickland, in an interview, admitted that the first hour was heated as parents peppered him with questions. It really hurts my heart because I never thought DeMatha would get to this point and to not even think enough about us. Howard University Coach Kenny Blakeney, a DeMatha alum, said he supports placing Strickland in the position on a short-term basis and trusts the school will properly vet the next full-time coach. DeMatha Basketball Alumni History powered by SportsMarkit. Associate AD NC State, Joe Wootten 91 It wouldve been: Okay. Whitmore played at Notre Dame, where he still ranks 12th all-time in scoring. Villanova University With :48 remaining, Mack knocked down a trey for the Cadets, and St. Johns led 63-62. [2] But to Smith and others, it should have been taken into account immediately, whether Strickland ends up staying on the bench or not. Director of Player Development Portland Trailblazer, Rod Balanis 88 And really its about being there when they need you. I owe everything Ive done thus far to this program and anything I do in the future to this program., Potomac softball, outscoring opponents 47-0, takes its lead from senior Maria Urban, Wild finish gives Stone Bridge football its second state title in 10 tries, The arrival of spring high school sports brings new obstacles and plenty of gratitude, Goldendoodle shows stunning breakaway speed, hounds high school runner at finish line. On Jan 30, 1965, DeMatha did what many considered impossible - it knocked off New York City's Power Memorial and its star seven-foot center Lew Alcindor, who later became Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA's all-time leading scorer. And I dont think that they would ever come out and say that, but they didnt like that.. On top of being one of the best basketball teams in the Washington, DC area, the school has won six national championships. He was named Coach of the year by the Washington Post in 2005 and served as a head coach at the prestigious Nike Hoop Summit in 2018. Boston Celtics, Adrian Branch 81 Tennis doesnt seem to be helping. Now David is the Chief writer of the Athletic. Wootten never had a losing record, with his worst performance coming in the 195758 season, when DeMatha went 1711, the only year his team did not have at least 20 wins. When Wootten began considering retirement near the end of the last century, the assumption, even by him, was that his son, Joe, would slide over one seat from his role as top assistant. Most of the people who spoke to The Washington Post were vehement that their problems werent with Strickland or McGregor, the football coach. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Nate Darling (2016) is a professional basketball player who plays for the Charlotte Hornets and played collegiately at the University of Delaware. [13][14][15], In 1996, Wootten nearly died because of a malfunctioning liver and was quickly rushed to the hospital for a liver transplant. Five of his former players are in the NBA, including 2017 No. The same can be said for Springs Valley High School in Indiana, which was one and done with Larry Bird. On the other hand, a number of schools have sent multiple players to the NBA and are considered basketball powerhouses. According to those in attendance, he handled himself admirably. He and teammate Joe Forte, 2001 ACC player of year at North Carolina, led DeMatha to City Title as juniors. WCAC boys Player of the Year: Paul VIs DeShawn Harris-Smith. Head coach: Mike Jones | 2019-20: 30-3, No. They didnt like that, I dont think. None of them have been what this offer is, and thats what got my attention, Jones said. Jones, 47, is a former standout guard for the Stags who starred at Old Dominion and later became a DeMatha assistant under Hall of Fame coach Morgan Wootten. Postseason invitational champion He had two perfect seasons, the first coming in 1977-78 (28-0) and the other in 1990-91 (30-0). I think its about being consistent with kids. We were hoping that the administration wasnt that tone-deaf. Cook won the 2015 NCAA national championship with Duke, and won two NBA championships, one with the Golden State Warriors in 2018 and one with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. 30 for 30: Survive and Advance, Jonathon Hock, ESPN 2013, television. Joshua Wallace Records and information is as of 12 p.m. on Friday. WCAC boys basketball Coach of the Year: St. Johns Patrick Behan. Head Coach Howard University, Marshall Cho He also helped the program uphold its reputation as a Division I talent factory. 4. Strickland managed to assuage some of them, displaying the savvy and charm that helped him serve as head coach from Coastal Carolina University from 1998 to 2005 and Irelands national team from 2016 to 2018. Last week, after rumors surfaced that Virginia Tech was targeting Jones, the coach was bombarded with messages from Hokies fans urging him to join the program. I knew every time I walked into those DeMatha doors, it was always a place of love and unity. Seattle Supersonics, Markelle Fultz 16 Basketball player, Coach Age: 68 Birthplace: Washington, D.C. Adrian Delano Dantley (born February 28, 1956) is an American retired basketball player who played 15 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Jones said he made the final decision with his wife Monday morning. Before he took on the head coaching position at DeMatha, Jones served as an assistant to the legendary Morgan Wootten for four seasons. Jones said he has not given any thought to who will replace him as coach of the Stags or whether he will play any part in that hiring process. As a sophomore, he helped his team capture its first Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) championship since 2011. Thats what Ive been doing as a coach for a long time. From Ernie Cage 58 and Adrian Dantley 73 to Victor Oladipo 10, Markelle Fultz 16 and Justin Moore 19, there have been many All-Americans who have played at DeMatha. We dont have an opening in science. It was the 500th win of Joness head coaching career. January 11, 1985. He continued to teach world history to every DeMatha freshman until reducing his class load in 1980. Dantley and legendary coach Morgan Wootten have even been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. [20], In 2017, the documentary film Morgan Wootten: The Godfather of Basketball was released. He transitioned to a basketball career off the court when he was presented with an opportunity with the Atlanta Hawks to be an intern, a seasonal assistant. [33] This article was published more than1 year ago. Office Hours: 7:45am-3:30pm, Copyright 2021 DeMatha Catholic High School. Praising his team, St. Johns coach Behan said, You could really sense from this team that they have been a real family this season.. 2019 Graduates: Carsten Kogelnik Brown University, Justin Moore Villanova University, Steve Settles The Howard University, Thaire Vance Morgan State University, Joshua Wallace Plays football for UMass, Jahmir Young University of Maryland. He had five children, Cathy, Carol, Tricia, Brendan, and Joe. 72-70 (W) Paul VI vs. DeMatha On 2/26, the Paul VI varsity basketball team won their neutral playoff game against DeMatha (Hyattsville, MD) by a score of 72-70. He coached his predecessor, Jones, in high school, then recruited and coached Jones again at Old Dominion University. DeMatha replaced Mike Jones, pictured here, with a White interim coach . [texts-excerpt] multiplying imaginary numbers with square roots calculatorFREE EstimateFREE Estimate "[4], Sports Illustrated recognized DeMatha as the #2 high school athletic program in the United States in 2005,[5] and again in 2007.[6]. Strickland checked several boxes. 5 in final MaxPreps Top 25 Breakdown: The Stags have established themselves as a mainstay in the MaxPreps Top 25, finishing. St. Johns coach Scribner noted, It was a business-like game. He led the Stags to five national championships and 33 Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) titles. DeMatha basketball coach Mike Jones, after 511 wins, takes top assistant job at Virginia Tech, Bradley Beal hits season high as Wizards fight to the finish in Atlanta, In his spring training debut, Patrick Corbin finds reasons to believe. Jones inherited the area's most prestigious high school basketball job . June 10, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. EDT. In October 2012, Jones was named a Distinguished Alumnus at ODU and in 2017 was inducted into the DeMatha Hall of Fame. Mike Jones and his DeMatha Squads won an impressive 500 games (and only 121 loses). DeMatha Catholic competes in the highly competitive Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) and play other private schools in the Archdiocese of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia; such as Archbishop Carroll, Bishop Ireton, Bishop McNamara, Bishop O'Connell, Good Counsel, Gonzaga, Paul VI, St. John's College, and St. Mary's At the meeting, Mustaf told the parents that it was the first time in his life that he had read a book by an African American author and that it forever changed him. DeMatha 70 Paul VI 72 Final Box Score Feb 26, 2023 @ 11:29pm He led the Stags to five national championships and 33 Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) titles. The Stags team is predominantly African American. Recipient of an honorary monogram from the Notre Dame Monogram Club, Brey is a former chair of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Rules Committee. Former NBA as a sideline reporter for Turner Sports (TNT). Heres my naive wish as an administrator, Oh, they know what theyre doing. Thats a wish that we dont always get, Day said. He transferred to the University of Maryland, College Park in 1953 and became the junior varsity basketball and football coach at St. John's College High School. Thomas III, Charles ( So.) Two days later, DeMatha hired Strickland, an alumnus with connections to the basketball team stretching five decades, for at least the next season. Century and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000. Also won an NCAA 400m title at Georgia Tech. Milwaukee Bucks, Danny Ferry 85 It is a program built on tradition with a past that has strengthened each decade even as the game of basketball continues to evolve. [3], According to the school's website, the music program includes "five concert bands, three choruses, three percussion ensembles, three string orchestras, six levels of music theory, and a History of Rock and Roll class" plus "two jazz ensembles, a pep band for basketball games, a gospel choir, as well as numerous small ensembles. Times have changed. [18][19], In 1992, Wootten wrote a manual for coaching, Coaching Basketball Successfully, with co-author Dave Gilbert. Is Morgan Wootten the greatest basketball coach ever? [14], Joe became a basketball coach at Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington, Virginia. Conference tournament champion. 70-56 victory over Paul VI in the WCAC title game. Assistant Coach University of Notre Dame, Kenny Blakeney 90 He has also played for the Dallas Mavericks, the New Orleans Pelicans, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Seattle Supersonics, Sidney Lowe 79 Harris-Smith scored again to make it 60-60, but the senior missed the ensuing free throw. Then Daquan Davis generated the game winner for the Cadets in the waning seconds. Utah Jazz, Jerrod Mustaf 88 With 2:40 remaining, Harris-Smith knocked down a trey and Paul VI led, 58-56. WCAC, Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, Stags, DeMatha Stags, Coaches, Alumni Athletes. St. John's moves up to No. Were going to do what were going do, and yall just go play basketball and shut up.. Strickland said the meeting ended with many of the parents shaking his hand. DeMathas administration needed to keep the continuity together moving forward and felt that Coach was the best choice to do that, said Blakeney, who was teammates with Jones, Veney and DeMatha assistant Kevin Cromer. Director of Player Development Portland Trailblazer, Assistant Coach University of Notre Dame. The film explores Wootten's coaching journey from a baseball coach at a small orphanage to the first high school basketball coach in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, as well as his personal and family life. With Mike departing this past offseason for Virginia Tech, new Head Coach Mike G. Jones III is ready to bring the Stags into the next era in this legendary program's history. School Hours: 7am-3:30pm Thaire Vance In 2000, he was the third high school coach to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the first high school only coach to be inducted. Jones was 29 and had no previous head coaching experience. Drew Hanlen is the CEO of Pure Sweat and an NBA Strategic Skills Coach & Consultant that counts Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards), Andrew Wiggins (Minnesota Timberwolves), Dwight Howard (Houston. Were happy with that.. Orlando Magic, Jerami Grant 12 Virginia Tech Smith and Mustaf said the stability the school claimed it sought in Strickland could have been achieved by hiring someone already on the bench. Its at the core of who I am as a person. Cook is a professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the NBA. The basketball power he built produced dozens of NBA players, including Hall of Famer Adrian Dantley and 2017 No. DeMatha's 1965 victory over Power Memorial was the "foundation" of "something beautiful" 8 years ago BY CHRIS MCMANES Morgan Wootten won 88 percent of the basketball games he coached at DeMatha Catholic High School from 1956 to 2002. He can be reached in the Basketball office at (240) 764-2225 or by email at mgjones@dematha.org. I didnt say, Get over it, Strickland said. But several said they feared that the hires signaled a reset intended to attract more White donors and to change the perception of a school that is located in predominantly Black Prince Georges County and has a student body that is 48 percent African American and about 65 percent non-White. In this wide-ranging documentary, top coaches, players, and sports journalists - Coach K, Roy Williams, Mike Brey, James Brown, John Feinstein, and others - tell the story of DeMatha High School and its legendary coach who shaped the game of basketball and changed lives along the way. Conference regular season and conference tournament champion I wanted them to know that this was the most difficult decision of my life, Jones said. Everyone at St. Johns knows winning., Praising their coach, Delaney Thomas said, Coach Scribner is the best coach I could have ever asked for. Minnesota Timberwolves, Kenny Carr 74 Grambling University, Hunter Dickinson Brown is currently host of the NFL on Fox pregame show. Assistant Coach South Carolina, Ron Everhart 80 Owns a small stake in the Washington Nationals. But what DeMatha officials might not have anticipated was the outrage over the process. Items here include everything from Adrian Dantley to Jarrett Jack. Became a two-time All-America at Nebraska. In the first championship game, the St. Johns girls basketball team led from start to finish and defeated arch-rival St. Paul VI High School of Chantilly, Virginia, 48-36, to claim their second consecutive WCAC basketball title. It was a great atmosphere in school today getting ready for this game, said Thomas, a senior. This Documentary Wants to Know Why", "DeMATHA'S SUPER SALESMAN Wootten gets great deal from players", "Morgan Wootten, Hall of Fame high school basketball coach, dies at 88", Wayland Baptist Women's Teams (19481982), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Morgan_Wootten&oldid=1104814781, University of Maryland, College Park alumni, High school basketball coaches in Maryland, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, 5 high school national (1962, 1965, 1968, 1978, 1984), This page was last edited on 17 August 2022, at 01:49. Black football agents face another hurdle: Convincing White players to sign with them, Everything for us is One DeMatha, and all of a sudden it felt like two, said one alumnus and parent of a current basketball player. At least four of Joness assistants have committed to staying through next season, Strickland said, and he plans to give others the time they need to come to a decision. DeMatha means everything to me, Jones said. Day said inclusion will factor in the decision, pointing to the recent hiring of Shaka Dickerson, who is Black, as dean of students. St. Johns boys basketball team improved to 29-2 and were paced by Davis (21 points), Donovan Freeman (16 points), Mack (15 points), Raymond Watts (seven points), Timothy Barton (four points) and Devin Toatley (two points). One Black former DeMatha player suggested that hiring Strickland, on the heels of McGregor, signals the desire of the administration to reset the culture and return to the days when Wootten would leave victories and head over to Ledo in College Park and draw up Xs and Os over some pizza and Miller Lite. Given that history, Day said, the school should get some benefit of the doubt. We scream, One DeMatha, because of the brotherhood of it. Instead, Joe Wootten left to become the coach at Bishop OConnell, and Jones became the choice. He learned more from the losses than the wins. Before he decides to spend his savings on two DeMatha educations, Smith said he needs to hear an apology or a satisfactory explanation. Paul Smith The basketball culture in this area is second to none, Jones said. He most recently worked as athletic director at St. Johns Catholic Prep in Frederick County. Morgan Bayard Wootten (April 21, 1931 - January 21, 2020) was an American high school basketball coach for 46 seasons at DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland. Will Reynolds, The Howard University The entire St. Johns athletic program has been a juggernaut this academic year. Private, college-prep school in Hyattsville, Maryland, United States, Single-gender schools in the Washington, DC area, Washington Metropolitan Area Catholic High Schools, Archdiocese of Washington Catholic Schools, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, 1976 gold medal winning United States Olympics team, Schools Recognized 1982-1983 Through 1999-2002, "DeMatha is much more than an 'athletic powerhouse' Streetcar Suburbs News", "DeMatha High Continues its Long Tradition", "Winningest prep basketball coach Wootten retires", "How outsider Justin Fairfax broke through the Democratic Party in bid for lieutenant governor", "Senate Tribute to David Schiappa, S.Res. Derek Mills, Track, 1990 One of three DeMatha grads to earn an Olympic gold medal. Morgan Wootten, Mike Jones, Victor Oladipo, Quinn Cook, Jerami Grant, Markelle Fultz, Hunter Dickinson, Justin Moore, Jemari Young, Earl Timberlake. And since DeMatha requires coaches to be educators, Strickland can easily fill the position in the English department vacated by Jones. Assistant Coach Louisville, James Robinson 12 Jones announced May 17 that he was leaving after 19 years to become associate head coach at Virginia Tech. Has gone on to a distinguished broadcasting career with FOX and CBS. Assistant Coach West Virginia, Evan Kee 08 Ive talked to 100 people and all 100 of them said this process was faulty. 4313 Madison Street, Hyattsville, MD 20781 1 after a dramatic win over Paul VI in the WCAC Championship. . The Panthers girls basketball team dropped to 20-10 on the season. In terms of how this whole thing has taken place, I cant, Mustaf said in an interview. Wootten is one of the individuals memorialized in the ending of the film. In Spring of 2020, Jones accepted a job as the assistant head coach for Virginia Tech Hokies. [1][14], Wootten co-authored two biographies with Bill Gilbert: From Orphans to Champions (1979), and A Coach for All Seasons (1997). Wootten and his son both led one of the largest camps in the United States , Coach Wootten's Basketball Camp, held in Frostburg, Maryland at Frostburg State University and at Bishop O'Connell High School. Two decades later, many of Smiths closest friends, his family, are the teammates he bonded with at the prestigious all-boys school in Hyattsville, Md., all having taken in the lessons of a legend. They know people are mad, but theyre not touching it, said Smith, who has friends on the coaching staff. Whoever takes the position will be just the schools third coach since 1956. San Antonio Spurs, Joseph Forte 99 He was an All-ACC second team selection twice. Whos lying here? But for others, the pain of the process lingers. At hoops power DeMatha, a coaching change stirs a painful debate about race. He was 29 and had no head coaching experience. DeMatha has one of the top basketball programs in the nation. DeMatha Basketball History Previous Seasons All-Time Roster 2022-23 ( 19 players) Head Coach: Mike G Jones Winston, Jaden ( Sr.) Arnold, Isaiah ( Sr.) Tate, Kristian ( Sr.) Thomas, Malcolm ( Jr.) Wallace, Jacob ( So.) He graduated from the University of Maryland in 1956 with degrees in physical education and history. I DO want people to understand that representation absolutely matters, he wrote. He played at Iowa and Arkansas before attending Florida State. Assistant Coach UNC Greensboro, Mike Pegues 96 At least they hired a coach. But they brought him in, and he was an interim. Pat Ward is not only the Cadets football coach, but the schools athletic director as well. This directory is not just composed of graduates of this school, as some of the famous people on this list didn't necessarily earn a degree from DeMatha Catholic High School. In Joness last full season at DeMatha, 2019-20, he led the Stags to the 41st conference title in program history and their second in three seasons. One of the iconic moments in Woottens career was in 1965 when Wootten made national headlines as his DeMatha team beat Lew Alcindors Power Memorial Academy and ended its 71-game winning streak!