Henry Dickerson: How taking a backseat means continued
success for the Seahawks
December 7,
2009
Practice,
practice, practice. That is the mantra of nearly every
successful coach in any sport. Practice everyday,
emphasize weaknesses, study the game, prepare as much as
possible and then do it all over again. The formula is
simple… the more one practices, plays or coaches, the
more experience one will acquire. On the basketball
court, experience can come from many different outlets;
the tenured head coach, the long-time assistant, the
four-year starter, the NBA veteran. Wherever it may come
from, experience is an integral part of success on and
off the basketball court.
Experience is precisely why UNC-Wilmington head coach
Benny Moss hired Henry Dickerson as his top assistant
this past summer. Dickerson is well known among
basketball circles due to a long tenured and illustrious
coaching career. Dickerson spent the last 5 seasons
leading North Carolina Central University (NCCU) through
the transition to Division I. Prior to arriving at NCCU,
Dickerson served as assistant and head coach for UTC
from 1989-2002 and helped guide his teams to six
Southern Conference regular season titles, four
conference tournament championships, and four NCAA
tournament appearances, including a visit to the “Sweet
16” in 1997, as a number 14 seed.
Dickerson brings a breadth of knowledge and experience
to the basketball court, and should have no problem
making the transition back to assistant coach. Dickerson
has already developed a solid relationship with head
coach Benny Moss, and the two should have no problem
gelling this season as Dickerson plays the role of
supporting resource to Moss’ game plan and decision
making. After 10+ years of serving as head coach,
Dickerson will continue to be heavily involved in all
aspects of the Wilmington program including; recruiting,
in-game coaching, practices, and scouting.
As an assistant, Dickerson brings that extra “something”
that his young peers may lack. His experience allows
Moss someone to bounce ideas off of in order to gain a
different perspective. He has seen the game from so many
sides; the players and coaching staff will be able to
draw from that knowledge. Coach Moss will be especially
glad to have him on board during the recruiting period.
Dickerson has strong ties to the talent-rich tidewater
region of Virginia and throughout the Southeast.
Dickerson has played in the NBA and coached in the NCAA
tournament (including the Sweet 16). His next task,
helping the Seahawks win, will be another testament to
how the game of basketball has brought him much success.
There is no doubt that Dickerson, now 57, will be
relying heavily on his experience … and that … he has
plenty of.
Practice,
practice, practice. That is the mantra of nearly every
successful coach in any sport. Practice everyday,
emphasize weaknesses, study the game, prepare as much as
possible and then do it all over again. The formula is
simple… the more one practices, plays or coaches, the
more experience one will acquire. On the basketball
court, experience can come from many different outlets;
the tenured head coach, the long-time assistant, the
four-year starter, the NBA veteran. Wherever it may come
from, experience is an integral part of success on and
off the basketball court. 
