TEMPLE, Texas — As the KCEN Sports department gears up for the NCAA Tournament starting Thursday, an area junior college is reflecting on a milestone.
Temple College men's basketball coach Kirby Johnson ended the regular season with a bang, winning his 800th career game as a head coach across the high school and junior college levels.
"That's, that's a lot of wins, yeah," Johnson said. "I just tell people that means I have lots of gray hair, yeah."
Like any good coach, Johnson credits his players for his success.
"I tell the guys, 'hey look, I've never scored a point in any of those 800 victories," he said. "You know, you have to have good players."
Win number 800 against Hill College came after a confusing loss for Johnson's Leopards against Southwestern Christian in Terrell, Texas.
However, he said it was fitting that his 800th victory as a head coach came in the building he's called home for the past 32 seasons.
"One of the things, after the game, our media guys, Steve Lemons, was able to get a picture of my wife coming over and hugging me," he said.
That picture now sits on his desk, acting as a reminder to embrace the moments that matter most. His office is filled with mementos of the milestones the Leopards have hit in his career.
A career nearing its final buzzer.
"I've been coaching for 42 years, and have never seen the leaves turn red and orange, so when I retire, that's what i'm going to do, is go see the leaves turn," he said. "Next year will be my last year."
Johnson said his work isn't done; he is still going to do everything he can to help every one of his players get to a four-year university to play basketball.
For now, his focus is on the coming season.
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