Tyler Crockett grew up with a dad who was a coach, and now that he’s going to be a dad it’s Déjà Vu all over again.
Tyler and his wife Brooke are expecting a baby boy in November, about the same time he takes the bench for the first time as Glenvar varsity boys’ basketball coach. Last week Tyler was named to replace Hank Luton, who recently stepped down as head coach of the Highlanders.
For the past four seasons Crockett has served as an assistant coach on the Glenvar varsity basketball staff, first with Cliff Bordewisch and then with Luton. His familiarity with the team, community and traditions of Glenvar athletics positions him to seamlessly lead the program into its next chapter according to GHS Athletic Director Andy Clapper.
“We are thrilled to name Tyler Crockett as the next head coach of Glenvar Boys Basketball,” said Clapper. “Tyler understands what it means to be a Highlander. His passion for Glenvar, deep roots in the community, his experience as both a player and coach, and his commitment to developing young men on and off the court make him an outstanding choice to lead our program.”
Tyler is a Highlander from way back. His dad Brian Crockett, who is also a Glenvar graduate, coached just about every sport but cheerleading for the Highlanders. He’s been the varsity head coach for baseball, golf and girls’ basketball, an assistant on the boys’ basketball team, and at the middle school he had stints coaching football, basketball and track.
“There were times when he was coaching three sports and he was on the go all the time,” Tyler remembers. “I was the water boy and he put me in a tough spot sometimes. If a player didn’t remember what he just said he’d ask me to repeat it, and I always remembered. That player usually wanted to put me in the trash can after practice.”
Tyler grew up loving sports and enjoying the time with his dad. He was a good athlete in high school, playing basketball for David Redding and baseball for Billy Wells. He’s second all-time in career scoring for the basketball team with 1,235 points, behind only former teammate Jeremy Williams. Tyler holds the record for points in a game with 45 against Eastern Montgomery on his “Senior Night.”
“I think I hit 10 threes and I didn’t play in the fourth quarter,” said Crockett. “It was just one of those nights.”
As for the career mark, Tyler played four years on the varsity. He started out on the jayvee team his freshman year, but after three games he was called up to the varsity.
“I was about five feet tall and 105 pounds,” he said.
Tyler figures both records would have been shattered this year if Brody Dawyot had played on the basketball team. An outstanding football player, Brody left Glenvar at mid-term to begin his collegiate football career at UNC-Charlotte. He was close to breaking the career record in basketball when he decided to forgo his senior season.
“I have no doubt he would have shattered all the records, including the 45 points in a game,” said Crockett.
Tyler was a three-year captain and earned all-district, all-region and all-state honors during his time on the Highlander basketball team. Following his playing career at Glenvar Crockett continued to play basketball at Randolph College, where he competed under current Roanoke College head coach Clay Nunley.
“Coach Nunley texted me the night before I had my interview,” said Crockett. “When I was helping Cliff I would go to Roanoke College practices and watch what they were doing. He was an unreal scout. He always had his team well-prepared and I’m very fortunate to be around that wealth of knowledge. It’s really cool to have that connection.”
Tyler is hitting the ground running. Many coaches have already planned their summer camps and programs by this time.
“There’s a lot to do, I’m sort of behind the eight ball with camps,” he said. “I met with Hank and checked with what he had planned and I talked to coach Nunley about getting in their camp.”
As for style of play, Tyler will pull from his experiences as a player and from the coaches he played for and assisted. Luton liked to play fast, and that won’t change.
“We want to keep playing fast and shoot the open threes,” he said. “And I’ll use a lot of the stuff I learned from coach Nunley about half court defense.”
As for assembling a staff, Tyler has talked with several candidates but hasn’t made final decisions on who will be sitting beside him on the bench. There is one coach who he decided on, the one who taught him the love of competing and playing basketball.
“My dad agreed to help as an assistant,” said Tyler. “He just retired and we agreed it would be fun to coach together.”
And, someday, wouldn’t it be something if father, son and grandson were wearing the Glenvar green and gold at the same time?
“Having the opportunity to coach alongside with Tyler at the same school where I once coached him makes me incredibly proud,” said Brian. “I’m excited that he wants to coach and continue giving back to Glenvar. It’s a truly special place.”
Then, adding with a smile, “I’m hopeful that I can stay healthy enough to coach another little Crockett.”
