David Tucker has resigned as girls’ basketball coach at Walker Valley High School to become the boys’ coach at Union County High, a Class AA school in Blairsville, Ga.
Tucker, 57, had been the girls’ coach since Walker Valley opened its doors in 2001, winning at least 20 games in each of his nine seasons with the Lady Mustangs and compiling a 248-53 overall record in that time. Tucker won three district and three region championships with the Lady Mustangs and advanced to the state tournament twice, including last season when they finished 31-3.
“At my age, I had to think of my family, and this is strictly a family move,” Tucker said. “They came to watch me coach girls and approached me about the job. I didn’t even know they were watching me, and when they asked if I was interested, I said no at first. Then they told me what the numbers would be in pay, and I said yes.
“Whoever takes the Walker Valley job will have talent. We had 10 coming back from last year’s state-tournament team.”
Tucker began his head coaching career at McMinn County, where he spent 12 years as girls’ coach, then took over the Charleston boys’ program for three years before moving on to Walker Valley.
Walker Valley athletic director Mike Turner said the school has begun the search process for a new coach.