Darden moving from Village to Freedom basketball
Rodd Baxley
The Fayetteville Observer
“It was one of those things where I was happy where I was at, but I felt like I needed change,” said Kurtis Darden, who led the program to back-to-back 2-A state titles in 2016-17.
“. … I felt really comfortable at Village but I felt like I wanted a new challenge. I wasn’t looking for an opportunity … but when it opened up, not knowing where it would go, things just kind of fell in line.
“After praying and talking with people who mean the most to me, I decided to step up to the plate and take on this new challenge in my life.”
Darden, who helped the Knights win the NCISAA Sandhills Conference tournament this past season and led the team to a second consecutive appearance in the NCISAA 3-A state championship game, confirmed his resignation in a phone conversation with The Fayetteville Observer.
A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Darden accumulated a 224-75 record with the Knights that included four appearances in the NCISAA state title games and three conference crowns. The Pfeiffer University and UNC Pembroke graduate averaged 22.4 wins during his decade with the program.
Despite that consistent success, Darden was enticed by the vision of Ken Hughes, who is in his first year as the athletic director at Freedom Christian. The Patriots also have the benefit of a facility that features four basketball courts.
“They have a big vision of what that school could be as an athletic program,” Darden said.
“I’m always thinking outside of the box, thinking big. With their facility, there’s opportunity to get other schools to come in and play and do different things. I just was excited to hear the athletic director’s vision of what they had going on. … It just seemed like a good time to jump on board and be a part of that.”
Darden replaces Brandon Clifford, who spent one season at Freedom Christian before taking the head gig at Cross Schools in Bluffton, South Carolina, in July. Clifford led the Patriots to a 22-12 record and trip to state semifinals last season.
Reflecting on his time with the Knights, Darden said he’ll “remember everything” going back to when he was hired in 2010 by Village Christian athletic director Harold Morrision.
“Mr. Morrison gave me my first opportunity to not only be a head coach but a high school coach,” Darden recalled.
“When he hired me, I had applied for no less than 10 varsity, assistant, JV assistant opportunities. (Morrison) gave me my first opportunity, so I’ll always be appreciative and grateful for that. I like what I, with the help of God, and the players were able to accomplish over the 10 years.
“It still hasn’t really hit me yet, but it’s one of those things where I’m not going to stay looking back. I’m looking toward the future but still not forgetting all those things that we were able to do there at Village.”
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com.
Rodd Baxley
The Fayetteville Observer
“It was one of those things where I was happy where I was at, but I felt like I needed change,” said Kurtis Darden, who led the program to back-to-back 2-A state titles in 2016-17.
“. … I felt really comfortable at Village but I felt like I wanted a new challenge. I wasn’t looking for an opportunity … but when it opened up, not knowing where it would go, things just kind of fell in line.
“After praying and talking with people who mean the most to me, I decided to step up to the plate and take on this new challenge in my life.”
Darden, who helped the Knights win the NCISAA Sandhills Conference tournament this past season and led the team to a second consecutive appearance in the NCISAA 3-A state championship game, confirmed his resignation in a phone conversation with The Fayetteville Observer.
A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Darden accumulated a 224-75 record with the Knights that included four appearances in the NCISAA state title games and three conference crowns. The Pfeiffer University and UNC Pembroke graduate averaged 22.4 wins during his decade with the program.
Despite that consistent success, Darden was enticed by the vision of Ken Hughes, who is in his first year as the athletic director at Freedom Christian. The Patriots also have the benefit of a facility that features four basketball courts.
“They have a big vision of what that school could be as an athletic program,” Darden said.
“I’m always thinking outside of the box, thinking big. With their facility, there’s opportunity to get other schools to come in and play and do different things. I just was excited to hear the athletic director’s vision of what they had going on. … It just seemed like a good time to jump on board and be a part of that.”
Darden replaces Brandon Clifford, who spent one season at Freedom Christian before taking the head gig at Cross Schools in Bluffton, South Carolina, in July. Clifford led the Patriots to a 22-12 record and trip to state semifinals last season.
Reflecting on his time with the Knights, Darden said he’ll “remember everything” going back to when he was hired in 2010 by Village Christian athletic director Harold Morrision.
“Mr. Morrison gave me my first opportunity to not only be a head coach but a high school coach,” Darden recalled.
“When he hired me, I had applied for no less than 10 varsity, assistant, JV assistant opportunities. (Morrison) gave me my first opportunity, so I’ll always be appreciative and grateful for that. I like what I, with the help of God, and the players were able to accomplish over the 10 years.
“It still hasn’t really hit me yet, but it’s one of those things where I’m not going to stay looking back. I’m looking toward the future but still not forgetting all those things that we were able to do there at Village.”
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com.
