Selecting a girls basketball coach for the Lady Broncos started at home for Boyd athletic director Brent Warren. He chose himself. Finding a boys basketball coach took some convincing though. After many talks, Warren was able to bring in Buddy Majors to lead the Broncos program.
The coaching searches ended Monday when Warren announced himself and Majors as the newest basketball coaches for Boyd High School. Warren and Majors replace Stephen Glenn and Chris Sullens, who left Boyd to take jobs at Warren County High School. Sullens was hired in May as the new Pioneer basketball coach and Glenn will serve as his assistant coach.
Warren knew instantly who he wanted to succeed Sullens, though it took a little bit of prying to get his guy.
“It was a no-brainer decision getting Buddy. It was just talking him into accepting it with his schedule and commitments,” said Warren. “Anybody that knows Buddy knows his passion for the game and knows how much knowledge he has about the game.”
Majors has 35 years of coaching experience after starting to work with teams at age 17. He has prior coaching experience at Boyd after serving as the school’s baseball coach for four seasons. He’ll be assisted by his son, Lucas Majors, who graduated from Boyd in 2009 after a successful four-year run as a Bronco.
Majors appreciates the opportunity to lead the Broncos and is hopeful he can continue building on the foundation Sullens set in place during his decade-long run at the school.
“Chris has had this thing stabilized for about 10 years. He had a lot to do with building this program. We’re just trying to move forward,” said Majors. “Chris and I both have a strong passion for the game, but we may have different philosophies. We’ll analyze the talent we have and build our offense and defense around our talent.”
Majors will take a no-nonsense approach on the court. No matter what, his Bronco squad will be the hardest working group on the court.
“We won’t get outworked. We may get beaten, and we may get out-coached if Luke and I aren’t doing a good job on our end, but we won’t be outworked,” said Majors. “Everybody thinks I’m a baseball guy, but this is actually what I have a passion for. I have a love for this game.”
Lucas shares the same love for the game and appreciates the opportunity he’s getting to work with his dad.
“We’re both very thankful to the board, principal Tabetha Sullens and Brent for giving us the opportunity,” said Lucas. “I’m happy to be coaching with my dad. He’s a great coach.”
While hiring Majors for the boys position was an easy decision, Warren had to think long and hard about appointing himself as the girls coach. Ultimately, he felt he was the best man for the job.
“It honestly was a really tough decision hiring myself. I’ve joked about it, but it was difficult,” said Warren. “I have a passion for this school though. I want it to be successful.”
Warren will be assisted by Greta Hoover, who started last season as the girls head coach before relinquishing the position to Glenn midway through the season. Warren hasn’t ruled out the possibility of adding another assistant coach as well.
Warren feels like the program is in good shape and just needs support and new additions to continue heading in the right direction.
“We have a good nucleus of players and more on the way, but we have to keep adding as well. We’ll keep working hard and keep building,” said Warren.
Both Majors and Warren will also stay true to the school’s commitment to providing a strong Christian influence on the court.
“My philosophy has always been the same – God first, family second, school third and athletics is fourth,” said Warren. “That’s the order we look at it and what we will instill every day. We still want to compete and win just like anybody. We’re going to do it the right way.”
Majors agrees with Warren’s mantra and hopes his team will follow suit.
“One thing we’ve talked to the guys about is that integrity on the court is just as important as athletic skill,” said Majors. “The kids on the academic side, they get Bible everyday. We can say a prayer here and we’ll continue to utilize that as well.”
Neither Warren or Majors wants to make a brash comment like Sullens did last year when he claimed Boyd was the best basketball team in Warren County, but Warren is still open to getting a series together on a yearly basis with the Pioneers.
“One thing we’d like to see in the future is a yearly series. I think we can turn it into a positive for the community,” said Warren. “We all know people are going to come out for that game. I’d hope the administration from Warren County and Boyd can make it happen.”