Glen Hicks is new South Pittsburg boys basketball coach

Dade County coach Glen Hicks watches a game against Calhoun Tuesday at Dade County High School.
Dade County coach Glen Hicks watches a game against Calhoun Tuesday at Dade County High School.
photo Dade County coach Glen Hicks watches a game against Calhoun Tuesday at Dade County High School.

Former Dade County basketball coach Glen Hicks has been named the new boys' coach at South Pittsburg High School.

The 58-year old Hicks, who has 675 career wins in 37 years as a high school coach, spent the last 12 at Dade County, averaging 18 wins per season before recently stepping down. He led the Wolverines to the state tournament in eight of those years, including the Sweet 16 three times and Elite 8 once.

He also coached at North Sand Mountain for 25 years where he led the Bison to the Alabama's Elite 8 three times. His 1992-93 Bison team led the nation by averaging 111.8 points per game and he was named state coach of the year.

"South Pittsburg was one of only two programs I would have left Dade for," Hicks said. "I watched some of the kids at football workouts today and it gets me excited to see what we can do with so many great athletes coming up. This is a perfect fit for my (up-tempo) style. With the athletes here, I believe this program is a ticking time bomb just waiting to explode and I'm excited. When people see the football team on their schedule they're afraid. We want to build the basketball program up to the same standard."

Hicks takes over for David Phillips, who recently stepped down after nine seasons.

Hicks' son Cole just completed his first season at North Jackson (Ala.), which is located only about 10 miles from South Pittsburg. The younger Hicks, who had worked as an assistant for his dad at Dade County, led the Chiefs to a program-best 20 wins and the state's Sweet 16 in Class 4A.

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