CAMDEN COUNTY, Ga. — The Camden County boys' basketball team underwent changes before the season started, hiring a new head coach. For the first time since the 2019-2020 season, the Wildcats have a winning record 18-6.
David Bailey, Camden County head boys basketball coach, shared, "I'm from Brunswick, and I attended Glynn Academy."
Bailey, is well-known on the First Coast, not just for where he grew up, but also for his coaching success.
Most recently, in Charlton County, he coached the state championship game last year, won back-to-back region titles and achieved the most wins in school history at Charlton County.
Bailey emphasized that the most valuable lessons he offers have nothing to do with basketball.
"I just think kids are entitled. They want everything given to them, and I'm trying to teach them to work for everything. That's how my mom taught me, and that's what I'm teaching my 11-year-old son right now," Bailey said.
When he was in college, Bailey said he injured his knee and tore his ACL. Before the injuries, he had plans of going pro, but those plans went out the door. "My first game back, nobody cared that I had torn my ACL. Life goes on, so you gotta be ready for it."
Bailey says overcoming adversity gave him the perspective that he uses to help his players today. It's advice he knows will benefit his players long after their high school careers are over.
"I want to win a state championship, but at some point, that will end. I want them to say, 'Coach Bailey cared more about me as a person than he did as a player,'" said Bailey.
Bailey knows he was successful because someone was there for him. "My uncles...my uncles. My Uncle Paul, my Uncle Phillip," said Bailey. He finds it most rewarding when his players graduate and come back to say thank you.