Basketball coach to retire

Alan Cantrell had a 33 year coaching career

By: | The Floyd Press
Published: January 21, 2010

Floyd --

“The time was right,” girls’ basketball coach Alan Cantrell said of his upcoming retirement. Cantrell, one of the successful coaches in state history, told his team Monday he would step down from his position when this season ends.
“It’s hard to say what is the right time, should you wait another year or two,” he stated. “But you have to do it some time. After 33 years it is time to step down.”
Cantrell started his coaching career in 1977 at FCHS, coaching football and boys basketball. He left briefly for Grundy and Whitewood and returned to Floyd in 1981.
His 1983 girls’ basketball team went undefeated, losing in the regional to eventual state champion Rich Valley. His 1984 team lost in overtime in the state championship game to Buffalo Gap.
Cantrell left for a second time for Southwest Virginia, coaching at Tazewell and Pound. He returned to Floyd for good in 1990 and spent the final 20 years of his career with the Buffaloes.
“That was the perfect time to come back,” Cantrell said. “The athletes were there for the girls and boys programs.”
His boys’ team went to the playoffs eight straight years, winning the state championship in 1997. The girls team won back to back state titles in 1993 and 1994.
“This isn’t about any players, or anyone else. This is totally my decision.
“People might say why didn’t you leave after all those players graduate? I wanted to leave the program in good shape, and this season has been working out with all the young players.
“They work hard. Our goal is always the same, to win the state championship.
“I feel just as good about this team as I’ve ever felt. I feel a lot of energy working with this group.”

Basketball coach to retire

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