Brainerd girls’ basketball coach Carolyn Jackson got into coaching in 1974 because of the interest of several girls to form a team.
Thirty-six years and 801 wins later, she remains there because she just can’t quit.
“I’ve quit setting a date for retirement,” Jackson said. “Any time I say it’s my last year, some girl comes up to me and talks me into staying, so at this point I’m just going to bide my time and see what happens.”
Jackson earned her 800th coaching victory Thursday, when her Lady Panthers defeated Ooltewah 58-43. It was a milestone that kind of sneaked up on her.
“I really hadn’t thought about it,” she admitted. “I guess it’s another win — no big deal to me. I never said anything to the players about it, so it’s been pretty low-key.”
The Lady Panthers immediately got her to 801 with a win Friday against Red Bank.
Jackson started the girls’ team at the request of some players.
“They came and asked me if I would be willing to coach, and I decided to give it a try,” she said. “I set a goal to make it to state in five years, and we did.”
The Lady Panthers got there two more times, winning the title in 1984. Brainerd also has made 13 sub-state appearances while moving back and forth between Class AA and AAA.
The 2009-10 team starts two freshmen, two sophomores and senior Tiara Boston, so Jackson’s goals have been a little altered this season.
“You have to set goals,” she said. “This year we have set the goal to be competitive, try to get better with each game and have some things go right that didn’t go right the game before. I wanted the girls to be willing to come in and learn the system, be willing to work hard and be successful.
“We’ll see where we are at the end of the season.”