[Tobin Frost]

Thursday, May 3
Hensley steps down after one season as HHS basketball coach

By JOHN HENSON

Harlan County Sports.com

When he accepted the job as Harlan's boys baskeball coach last summer, Tommy Hensley said he was ready to come home after coaching in Savannah, Ga., for a couple of decades.

Hensley apparently decided after almost a year on the job that he missed his life in Georgia, too, especially with his wife and daughter still there.

Harlan High School athletic director Kevin Ball confirmed Wednesday that Hensley had told school officials and his players that he wouldn't return for a second season as coach.

"It didn't work out as far as his family (moving to Harlan)," Ball said. "It's a tough situation."

Hensley led a Harlan to an 8-18 record in 2012. The Dragons consistently played hard but had trouble scoring.

Hensley could not be reached for comment Wednesday, but Ball said he anticipated the search would begin soon for Hensley's replacement, just like last summer after Casey Lester stepped down.

"I'm assuming it will be the same process. We'll take applications and go through the interview process," Ball said.

Ball said Hensley had already set up a summer schedule for the Dragons and an interim coach could be named to run the team during the summer. Adam Brock helped coach the Dragons last summer and was an assistant under Hensley last season.