To me, once you’re a coach, you’re always a coach.
That’s why you always hear me call Winder-Barrow High School principal Al Darby “Coach Darby.” While his coaching days appear behind him now, Darby climbed up the education ladder through coaching and it helped prepare him for the role he currently works in.
I first met Darby several years ago when we both were working outside of Barrow County. Darby had been named the new varsity boys basketball coach at Social Circle High School. I was the sports editor of The Walton Tribune at the time and went about the task of tracking him down for a story on his appointment to the position.
After many attempts (it seems Darby was a busy man even in those days), we finally connected and had some good phone conversations about basketball and the direction he wanted to take the program at Social Circle High School. Once we finally met in person, a mutual respect was formed and it was fun to watch him build the program into one which eventually made it to the state playoffs.
Darby also was a successful football coach during those years and helped lead the Social Circle Middle School team to a league title. He was a natural at coaching but like many of us, he had higher career goals, ones which led him back home to Winder-Barrow High School, first as an assistant principal and now as principal.
I have little doubt Darby is even busier today than in those years he worked as a varsity head coach. The demands on one’s time as a high school principal are beyond demanding. Darby handles the pressure in many ways including jogging, as he can be seen making his way around town. The former standout high school athlete can still run up and down the basketball court and can still go pretty much full speed on the gridiron.
What makes Darby such a good fit in his position as WBHS principal is that he has a natural desire to see his alma mater excel in all areas. From athletics to academics, Darby pushes success. He’s a “GG Dogg” through and through and his upbeat approach to his position makes him the ideal principal at WBHS.
Whenever I see Darby these days at an athletic event or at something taking place at the high school, he always extends his hand and asks how things are going at the paper and in general.
For me, I often think back to those times when Darby was directing his basketball team and I was there covering them. It seems light years ago although in reality, it was only a few.
It’s funny the path life often takes you. Darby has fulfilled a career goal in becoming a principal (at his alma matter now less.) For me, I’ve been able to help direct a new paper in the county where I live.
Somtimes life’s journey has even more unusual twists and turns than you could ever imagine. Coach Darby and I can testify to that.
Chris Bridges is sports editor of the Barrow Journal. You can reach him at cbridges@barrowjournal.com.
