Emmett Named Head Coach Of Wolverine Basketball Program
By EDDY GIFFORD
Sports Writer
James Emmett
Dade County High School has a new boys basketball coach! The Dade County Board of Education recently named James Emmett as head coach for the Wolverines. Former coach Kevin Templeton recently stepped down to enjoy retirement.
Emmett has been described as “Dade County through and through.” A native Dade Countian, he graduated from Dade County High School after playing basketball for four years. He attended Jacksonville State University to pursue a degree in education knowing he wanted to come back to Dade County to make an impact on young people’s lives.
In January of 2005, he became a teacher at Dade Middle School where he taught for 10 years. In 2015, he transferred to Dade County High School where he continues to work as the school counselor.
Emmett has coached football, basketball, and baseball in Dade County at both the middle school and high school levels, but basketball is his first love. In 2022-2023 he became the head middle school boy’s basketball coach, a role he had served in previous years.
Last season, his middle school team won the NGAC Eastern Division with a record of 15-6. It was the first time since 2016 a Dade Middle School boys’ basketball team had won a division title.
DCHS Athletic Director Vic Grider stated, “We definitely need some stability in our boy’s basketball program.” Emmett will be the team’s fourth head coach in the last seven years.
Principal Brent Cooper added, “James gives us much more than stability. The teachers love him. The kids love him, and he loves them more.”
Emmett stated, “This is without a doubt my dream job and a moment I have waited for. I would like to thank Superintendent Josh Ingle, the Board of Education, Mr. Cooper, and Mr. Grider for this opportunity.”
He added, “I can promise nobody will work harder to make these kids and this program successful. I cannot wait to meet with the team to communicate my vision for Dade County boys basketball – buckle up:”
Congratulations to James and everyone is looking forward to seeing what lies ahead for Wolverine basketball.
