Former Middlebrooks Assistant Donte Archie Named Coach Of The Year
Donte Archie in 2018-19 coached the St. Pius X-St. Matthias boys basketball team to a 7-21 record in his first season at the helm. The Warriors this season went 29-7 and won the CIF-SS Division 4A championship.Sure, Archie had the benefit of a couple of transfers, but he still had to convince a team with a poor record a year earlier that it could win. For his effort, Archie is the Press-Telegram Dream Team Coach of the Year.
“Man, this is crazy; I didn’t expect it,” Archie said Monday morning of the award. “This is big. It just shows a testament to the kids and the team buying into everything that me and the coaches preached.”
Archie said his staff, which consists of assistants Zachary Carter, Darius Middleton and Wai Sett, made his life much easier.
Archie also said that with everything going on in the world today he hasn’t really given himself a chance to watch his team’s 67-58 victory over top-seeded Oakwood in the CIF championship game Feb. 29.
But there has been something going on that makes it all hit home.
“Just happy with our progression and just seeing how the kids progressed from last year to this year, and just seeing how happy they are,” Archie said. “We’re right now working on which company we’re going to go with for our rings.”
Archie said his returning players are already looking forward to next season. They can’t practice together because of the coronavirus, so he suggested they work out in their driveways.
“They’re real excited and that makes it better for me,” Archie said. “Makes me more excited.”
Brand Partners
