Jul 14

Jul 14 Lexington alumni named head basketball coach

{Contributed Photo}

Tuesday marked a long journey for newly-minted head boys’ varsity basketball head coach Antonio Threadgill. The former guard for Lexington’s 1995 state championship team called the appointment a “dream job.” He expressed thanks to principal Gene Jones and athletic director Ronnie Beverly for the opportunity to come “home.”

Beverly said the hire was based on a number of factors. “He’s alumni, number one, and he knows the community,” said Beverly. “He was the best candidate that applied for the job and I’ve worked with him before.”

Threadgill grew up in the tradition of the Lexington High School (LSHS) Yellow Jackets but never thought it would be his “turn” at the helm. He recalls the days of watching dynamic teams of the past as a young boy. Then mentors like his state championship coach Mike Gurley and Robert Hairston inspired his coaching style. His first coaching experience came under the tutelage of Hairston, who currently serves as the LSHS girls’ varsity basketball coach. “Robert Hairston is big to me. He was assistant coach of the state championship team and I am excited about being able to learn from him. I’ve known him for most of my life.”

It’s been a long journey home for Threadgill. While working as educator for 12 years, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in computer information systems from Catawba College and went on to several coaching positions including his first assignment as assistant coach with the aforementioned Hairston. He later coached for two years as an assistant to head coach John Weevil. After applying twice for the head coaching position, Threadgill left Lexington to become an assistant coach for Southwest Guilford High School in High Point. The cowboys won two state championships. There, Threadgill studied under head coach Guy Shavers. He also looked to mentor like Howard West at Reynolds High School. He says some of the great lessons learned along the way include preparing student-athletes for Division 1 basketball.

Threadgill recently became the head coach at Lexington’s rival, Thomasville High School. Despite controversy and criticism from the home team, Threadgill says, “I wanted to coach in Lexington, but at the end of the day, it’s all about the kids.” He resigned from the head coaching position last year with no coaching plans and accepted a position as dean of students/technology facilitator at Rowan County Early College. “I really didn’t know what to say when I heard that the Lexington job was open. I didn’t expect this.” He will continue to serve in those roles while assuming the helm of the boys’ basketball program.

As a coach, Threadgill shoots to restore pride in Lexington’s basketball program. He's already in communication with former team members who have vowed to lend support. “I think we can be the premier program in the state,” he added. “With community support.”

But one of his greatest motivations is making his family proud. His seven-year-old daughter, Taylor, is a student at Charles England and his mother, Agnes Wagner, works at South Lexington. Threadgill looks forward to them cheering him on in the bleachers. “My family is still here. My mom’s here. My daughter’s here. I can help rebuild Lexington. There is an opportunity to do that when you hire somebody from home.”

“He’s coming home,” Beverly said. “We haven’t had a hometown head coach in a while. Hopefully, this will help keep our kids at home. We’ve lost a lot of athletes to North Davidson and other communities. Threadgill knows the parents personally. That can help.”

Threadgill said, “I’ve got big shoes to fill.”

Practice begins in a few weeks for the team.

*Editor’s note - Lexington City Schools Superintendent Dr. Anitra Wells issued the following statement: “Lexington City Schools Is in the process of completing all pre-employment activities for the varsity basketball coach recommendation. If the candidate meets all pre-hire criteria, we will share the recommendation with the Board of Education in the next week or two.”