Coach David Dee

Daniel Hinson
May 13, 2010
Filed under Profiles

Coach David Dee has loved the game since the age of nine. Now, it is not only a game for him, but it is his life. Being a coach, he makes a living teaching athletes how to play the game.

Dee graduated from Kelley in 1984, and returned to his alma mater to be an assistant coach in 1989.

“I loved playing for Bishop Kelley because of the camaraderie I had with my teammates and coaches,” Dee said.

His junior year in high school, the team started very poorly, but finished the season strong, going undefeated in conference. In his senior season, he took over and his team was much better. After going undefeated again in conference and winning the conference title for the second straight year, they fell one game short of the state tournament.

“We went 12-11 my junior year, but we started 3-9, so we ended up being pretty good. We ended up losing in the first round of the playoffs. My senior year we went 18-7 and made it deep into the playoffs, losing in the area consolation championship, we were so close to state. It was heartbreaking,” Dee said.

He decided to play basketball in college, first going to St. Gregory’s Junior College, and after two years, went on to play at Northeastern State in Tahlequah. He chose these schools because he got scholarships.

“I really enjoyed playing in college, and I made some of the best friends of my life there,” Dee said.

Dee got into the coaching field because his high school coach, Dennis Hamilton, influenced him.

Dee is also the boys P.E. teacher, and he really enjoys both of his jobs at Kelley. Because he has been here for so long, he is more of an assistant head coach, rather than just an assistant.

“I love the community, and the kids make it very enjoyable,” Dee said.

Junior basketball manager Teddy Cooper is a big help for the coaches and players. Cooper and Dee share a very unique relationship, always joking around at practice and on the bus.

“Coach Dee has a very nicely groomed mustache/goatee combo, which instills fear in opposing players and coaches,” Cooper said.

Austin Morris is the lone freshman on the varsity team this year, but because of a football injury, was sidelined for the entire season. As a result of the injury, he got to see Dee at work, sitting next to him on the bench every game.

“He is a very high energy coach. He just has that presence about him. You can tell he knows what he’s talking about. I really enjoy playing for him, and I can’t wait to play for him the next three seasons,” Morris said.

His favorite memory coaching at Kelley was winning the 1995 State Championship, when his Comets beat John Marshall, 51-49.

“We were very good that year, and winning the state championship gave me the best feeling I have ever had while coaching. I would really love to win a few more, but I know they are very hard to come by,” Dee said.