The athletics program at Effingham County High School will have a new leader beginning on July 1. Jake Darling, the boy's basketball coach at ECHS for nearly a decade, has been named the Athletics Director for the Rebels, as he'll replace Matt Huntley in the role. Huntley received a promotion within the school district.
"The position opened up, and it's something I've always thought about, something I've always wanted," Darling said during a June 16 phone call with PSR. "My wife and I have raised our three boys around Effingham County, and for us to be able to stay here in this community it's a dream come true.
"You know, as coaches, the next step in your career could always involve a move. And so, for us, it is the best of both worlds. We get to stay in the community we love and still get to advance my career, which is nice."
Darling has been in Effingham for 15 years as a coach and teacher in the county. He spent 2008-12 as an assistant boys basketball coach at South Effingham High School before moving over to ECHS. Darling spent nine seasons as the head boys basketball coach at Effingham County High School. With Darling at the helm, ECHS compiled an overall record of 130-88 (.596). He has also coached other sports at SEHS and ECHS throughout the last 15 years, including soccer, track & field, and football.
On Thursday, Darling confirmed to PSR that he would not be coaching the boy's basketball team at ECHS moving forward. He and others at ECHS are in the process of hiring a new coach, something they expect will be done "pretty soon."
"This school and this program have great kids and great athletes," Darling said. "This position allows me not just to support the kids on the basketball team but the athletics program at Effingham as a whole. Anytime you move into a new position, you want to sort of get your feet wet, but I'd love to build on the foundation we already have in place here."
Prior to his coaching career, Darling spent four years playing basketball at Berry College, where he earned a degree in History. He was a starter and captain of the team from 2006-08. He graduated high school from Lake Dallas, Texas. His wife, Hannah, is a teacher at Ebenezer Middle School, and he has three sons: Jacob, Roman, and Max.
You can follow him on Twitter @JDarling31.
FOLLOW Travis Jaudon on Twitter/Instagram @JaudonSports. Email him at travisLjaudon@gmail.com.
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