Basketball
Plain Dealing hires former Airline coach Eddie Hamilton to coach boys basketball
Southwood’s Eddie Hamilton talks Nat. Central
Southwood’s Eddie Hamilton talks Nat. Central
Jimmy Watson, jwatson@shreveporttimes.com
One of the longest tenured and most successful high school boys basketball coaches in Northwest Louisiana is returning to his roots.
Eddie Hamilton, who has had successful stops at Fair Park, Southwood and Airline, is taking over the Plain Dealing job for the retired Sean Koeppen, according to Lions athletic director Clint Walker.
“We are pleased for him to be a part of Plain Dealing,” Walker said. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experiences that will help grow the boys basketball program here at Plain Dealing. He knows what success looks like and knows how to lead the kids to that goal.”
The 2017 Shreveport Times Coach of the Year while with Fair Park, Hamilton spent the past season on Tony Dorsey’s staff at Centenary College. He said he was ready to return to the high school arena after leaving Airline in 2023. He received a phone call from Bossier Schools athletic director Jeremiah Williams, then visited with superintendent Jason Rowland and saw their vision for the program. The late David Bryant (former PDHS coach) also played into the decision.
LATE GREAT: Bossier schools coaching icon David Bryant dies because of COVID-19 complications
LEAVING AIRLINE: Airline boys basketball coach Eddie Hamilton to leave school
EDDIE PREPPED: Selling cars prepped Eddie Hamilton for Airline position
“Dave Bryant meant the world to me and to get a chance to fill his shoes is something I feel honored to do,” Hamilton said. “I’m still close to Sheila (Bryant) and the rest of his family. I feel like this is the right thing to do.”
In six seasons at Fair Park (131-94), three at Southwood (66-34) and three at Airline (39-37) Hamilton was 236-165 overall. His teams have regularly been in contention for district titles and earning spots in the LHSAA playoffs. His 2017 Fair Park team was 28-8 and advanced to the LHSAA Class 4A quarterfinals.
An ordained minister, Hamilton and his family live in north Bossier, but he’ll have a 30-minute trek to Plain Dealing during the school year.
“Plain Dealing is a special community and I’m looking forward to being part of that community,” Hamilton said. “I loved being at Centenary and I learned a lot from my time with coach Dorsey. But my wife and I prayed about it and felt like this was the right decision.”
Jimmy Watson covers Louisiana sports him for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.
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