Larry Goad | Retired Teacher and Hall of Fame Coach | '71 Grad

Look at Them Now - Larry Goad

Larry Goad, a 1971 graduate of Greenville High School, was recently named to the 2023 Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame. He will be honored during a banquet on May 20, 2023, as part of the annual Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) clinic.  

 

Goad coached for 43 years, including time at Henrietta High School and 30 years at Desoto High School. He coached his teams to 766 games in his career. His teams made the playoffs in 19 seasons and earned 11 district championships, advancing to the regional finals eight times. His team made the state tournament in 2007-08. He garnered Coach of the Year awards numerous times in his career. 

 

His love of education and sports lead him to a lengthy career in education, and he says there were many people who inspired him as a student at GHS.  

 

His coaches T.A. Cotton Ford and James Bland, along with a math teacher Virgil Tate instilled in him a strong work ethic and a love of mathematics. Bosie Bowell, who was the sports editor for the Greenville Herald Banner, inspired and motivated him to follow Christ.  

 

Larry’s career began as an assistant YMCA director in Shawnee where his boss was dating his future wife. He says he lost the job but got the girl. 

 

Next, he began a brief career in construction, but after interest rates went sky high, he was led into education. In 1985, he began teaching and coaching for Desoto ISD, where he would stay until he retired. He continues to give back and was busy this holiday season volunteering for Samaritan's Purse.

  

He and his wife Kathy, who recently passed away, have three daughters Rachel, Sarah and Mary and 10 grandchildren.

 

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