Brown Takes Over As CHS Head Basketball Coach

Brown is taking the reins from Chad Bridges, who recently accepted a head coaching position at Stevens County High School.

Brown, a 2002 graduate of Commerce High School, has been shadowing Bridges as assistant coach for the last five years and feels more than prepared to fill his shoes.

“Coach Bridges is a basketball guy,” said Brown. “It was a great experience to coach under him and I think it has made me a more well-rounded coach.”

Commerce has seen great success in the past few seasons with Bridges at the helm. Last year, the Tigers finished the season 14-10, advancing to the state tournament for the fourth consecutive year. Brown plans on keeping up the pace in the 2012-2013 season.

“Realistically, our number one goal is to win the regional championship,” said Brown. “If we fall short, our next goal is to make the state tournament.”

Brown isn’t quite ready to shed light on all of his game plans, but on the whole, he looks to build upon the legacy that Bridges left.

“I’m going to do a lot of things the same as Chad. We have a lot of returning seniors who are used to the way things work around here.”
Brown is no stranger to Commerce athletics. He is a former CHS student athlete and has served as an assistant varsity basketball coach for six years and an assistant football coach for five.

He expressed a strong sense of pride for the school system, the community and the students in Commerce.

“I love our kids,” said Brown. “We have a very interesting situation at Commerce. Kids are spread thin across every sport, many receiving playing time in multiple sports. Our students work hard and rarely have any disciplinary problems.”

CHS principal and athletic director Donnie Drew is enthusiastic about Brown’s move up to varsity head coach.

“We are excited to see him take this step up to varsity,” said Drew. “He’s been coaching JV for a few years now and I think he really deserves this shot.”

Brown’s term as head coach begins during a season of new GHSA criteria for making the playoffs. As of the 2012-2013 season, public schools and private schools will play in separate state tournaments. Region champions will advance to the state tournament along with teams that earn a “wildcard” spot.

A committee consisting of the GHSA executive director, the GHSA administrator for basketball and two members of the executive committee will meet after the last playing date to determine the “wildcard” teams based on power-ratings.

A team will be awarded five power-rating points per win they earn in the regular season.