Berry announces retirement at Huntsville

NWA Democrat-Gazette/ANDY SHUPE
Longtime Huntsville girls basketball coach Charles Berry directs his team Friday, Jan. 8, 2016, from the bench during the Lady Eagles' win over Lincoln in Lincoln.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/ANDY SHUPE Longtime Huntsville girls basketball coach Charles Berry directs his team Friday, Jan. 8, 2016, from the bench during the Lady Eagles' win over Lincoln in Lincoln.

SPRINGDALE -- Charles Berry has always been direct and plain-spoken. When it came to announcing his retirement from coaching basketball after almost 60 years, he didn't mince words.

When asked why he was choosing to retire now, he had a blunt answer.

Charles In Charge

Charles Berry announced his retirement from coaching on Monday. He began his coaching career in 1960 in Hector and coached two years in Plummerville before returning to his alma mater in Huntsville in 1968. Among the notable highlights in his Hall of Fame basketball coaching career:

• 1,339-691 coaching record

• Two state girls championships (1998, 2008)

• Two state girls runner-up (1983, 2014)

• 32 state tournament appearances (boys and girls)

• National girls high school Coach of the Year 2006

• Elected to the Arkansas High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame 2016

• AHSCA All-Star head coach 6 times (5 girls, 1 boys)

• Huntsville gymnasium named in his honor 2006

"The main reason is that I'm 83 years old," Berry said, then laughed.

And so ends the career of one of Arkansas' most successful high school basketball coaches. Berry leaves with 1,369 wins, 691 losses, and a combined 16 district boys and girls championships to go along with six regional titles, most while coaching girls. He also was a boys coach, but since 1988 has only coached the girls' teams at Huntsville.

Berry announced on Monday he was leaving the Huntsville sideline after 50 seasons as a coach at his alma mater in a gym that bears his name. The Hall of Fame coach is leaving at the same time as longtime boys basketball coach Charles Stafford, who announced his retirement last month. Together, they have 75 years of coaching at Huntsville and almost 3,000 career wins.

Monday's announcement means three of the winningest high school basketball coaches in Arkansas have retired within the span of one month. John Hutchcraft, who tops the list with 2,013 victories, retired after coaching for 40 years at Guy-Perkins.

"I just can't get around as good as I used to, and I just think it's time they bring a new coach in here that's a whole lot younger," Berry said. "I just think it would be the best thing for the school.

"It's time, but this is not something that I have looked forward to. I love my job, I love kids and I love to teach as well as I love to coach. But it's just that time."

Berry said he and Stafford did not discuss leaving at the same time, that it was just coincidence. The gym at Huntsville is named for Berry, and the court is named for Stafford, meaning the two coaching legends will forever be linked at the Madison County school.

Over the course of a prolific 58-year coaching career, Berry accomplished just about every feat imaginable. He won two state championships (1997 and 2008), finished runner-up twice (1983 and 2014) and led 32 teams to the state tournament.

Huntsville athletic director Tommy Tice, who played for Berry in the coach's first season at Huntsville, said he received Berry's retirement notification Monday morning, shortly after Berry had led the junior high team through practice. Berry's contract with the school officially ends June 30.

"I was a senior in high school in 1968 when coach Berry started coaching here," Tice said. "Later, I sat next to him for 10 years as an assistant coach. I can't imagine anyone occupying that seat except for Charles Berry. Someone will come after him, but no one will replace him."

Berry coached for five years at Hector starting in 1960 and two at Plummerville before settling at Huntsville, where he graduated in 1952. He served in the Korean War and used his GI Bill to attend Arkansas Tech, graduating in 1960. Berry said he always wanted to teach and coach because he loved basketball.

"I was in the Air Force for four years and played on Air Force teams," Berry said of his days before becoming a coach. "Coaching is just what I thought I wanted to do."

Berry said he was influenced by his two high school coaches, Eddie Foster and Ellis McIntosh, to enter the teaching profession.

"Coach Foster was like a second father to me," Berry said.

In addition to his coaching, Berry is also a Geometry teacher, adding that he will miss the classroom as much as he will the sideline.

Gravette girls coach Will Pittman was an assistant for four years under Berry, including Berry's last state championship team in 2008. He said Monday's announcement wasn't unexpected.

"I'm sure he's talk about it a few times over the last 20 years," Pittman said. "But it's still a little shocking considering he's been such a fixture in Madison County and Huntsville athletics."

Pittman said Berry stood out among coaches with his knowledge of the game, preparation, and the relationships he developed with people.

"He related to the kids really well and they loved him," Pittman said. "Another thing is he was always prepared. He never winged, when he easily could have. He was super organized and he came to practice every day with a plan."

Berry said he plans to spend more time on his farm, but that he will remain a fixture at high school basketball games in his retirement.

Sports on 04/03/2018

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