Darlington School announced today that Tommy Atha and Josh Hembree have both been named Coach of the Year for 2013-14. Atha was recognized for his role in the boys division as head coach of varsity football, and Hembree was honored in the girls division as head coach of the varsity basketball and varsity golf teams. Each year faculty are nominated and chosen by fellow varsity head coaches and awarded by the athletic director.
Atha has taught ELA-8 physical education at Darlington since 1993 and also serves as the assistant coach for the varsity girls basketball team. He has led the Tigers football team to the state playoffs 17 times and has coached them to three consecutive region championships from 2009-2011. During his tenure at Darlington, Atha has also coached track and taught civics, world geography and American history.
Hembree has taught mathematics in the Upper School at Darlington since 2007, coaches boys and girls golf, and is the faculty sponsor for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In 2012, he led the Lady Tigers basketball team to a school-record 27 wins and to the third round of state. Between 2011 and 2014, he also led the Lady Tigers golf team to three state championships and one state runner-up. Hembree was named Darlington’s Coach of the Year for 2011-12, and has also been recognized as Region 6A Coach of the Year on multiple occasions.
