His retirement from coaching now in effect, Craig Culbreth hasn’t quite decided how he’ll fill the free time he now has at his disposal.
But he’s looking forward to figuring that out.
“I usually would be doing golf now, so it’s been kinda neat to have my afternoons,” Culbreth said. “I really haven’t thought about it, but I can go do some things I want.”
Get PolkSports delivered to your inbox
Sign up for our free newsletter →
After 24 seasons of coaching spread over 28 years, Culbreth has hung up his whistle, cleats and coaching attire. Having already decided earlier this year to give up duties as Polk County’s golf coach, Culbreth recently retired as the Wolverines’ head girls basketball coach, going out on a high note after leading a young Polk County squad to a 13-10 record and state 2A playoff berth.
Polk County Middle School head coach Brandy Alm will replace Culbreth.
“Around midseason or so, it got to the point where the bus rides got longer and I was (more tired) the next morning,” Culbreth said. “I was having a fun year, and I knew I wasn’t going to be doing it much longer, so I started thinking it was a good time to go out on a good year.”
Culbreth’s coaching career predates Polk County High School, as he got his start working with softball, football and junior varsity basketball at Tryon High School. With the opening of Polk County High, Culbreth joined the junior varsity football and basketball staffs, then took a short break from all sports before returning to coach golf, boys basketball and girls basketball.
“It’s been 28 years now. I took one little break in there, probably about four or five years when my own kids were in little leagues and I coached them some, but other than that I’ve coached everywhere from girls softball, middle school and JV football, golf, JV boys basketball and boys and girls basketball,” Culbreth said. “I’ve done everything except tennis, track and wrestling.
“I’m 53 now, and it’s probably time to let someone like Brandy come in, young and more energetic. All coaching, like basketball, you play 15 to 20 games in summer, then you go from November to March, it takes things like Thanksgiving and Christmas. There’s a lot of time coaches and players have to give.”
Culbreth, though, was always willing to give that time, according to Polk County athletic director Jeff Wilson.
“He did an incredible job for many years,” Wilson said. “I felt like he really battled well in the tough Western Highlands Conference, which has a rich tradition in girls basketball.
“He’s an excellent coach, but he’s a better friend and a better man. I really wish him well.”
Culbreth began what would be his final season coaching with a roster of eight players, half of those freshmen and sophomores. But the Wolverines steadily improved all season, more than holding their own against conference leaders Mountain Heritage, Avery and Madison late in the season.
“Going in you don’t know what to expect when you only have two seniors on the team,” Culbreth said. “We had our second leading scorer (Hayley Kropp) coming back. Sarah (Phipps) played a big role this year. I think she was the third leading rebounder in Western North Carolina.
“It was just a team that got along so well. They enjoyed playing with each other. If it would have been a bad year (as his last), it would have been rough. But they made it fun.”
Those fun times will be among the memories that Culbreth cherishes from the many to choose from about his coaching career.
“The big thing about coaching sometimes is that, years later, players come back to you and tell you how they appreciate what you’ve done,” Culbreth said. “They tell stories about how you jumped on them and everything. Sometimes we get excited. But it is rewarding to see a team progress over the year and get better.
“The last year I did boys basketball, we came in third in the conference (in 2A), then won two rounds of the state playoffs and played for the sectional championship. That was a surprise and an overachieving team. Going from boys to girls basketball was quite an adjustment, but it was a good adjustment. I enjoyed it.”
Culbreth also relished the chance to coach his youngest son, Heath, whom he coached in both golf and boys basketball.
“It’s been a fun little ride,” Culbreth said. “I appreciate Polk County Schools giving me the opportunity.”
