After consecutive trips to state final, Maxwell steps down at Buckhannon-Upshur

TENNERTON, W.Va. — Jeremy Maxwell, who helped build Buckhannon-Upshur girls basketball into a Class AAA state power by winning four consecutive regional titles, has stepped down as head coach.

Maxwell led an unprecedented run of success in Tennerton, guiding the Buccaneers to 82 victories in his four-year tenure. BU advanced to the state championship game each of the last two seasons, losing to Huntington in 2017 and falling to Parkersburg 49-47 this past March.

“It has been one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made,” said Maxwell. “I have been in Buckhannon for seven years. I made some beautiful friendships and relationships. I feel like I have a lot of extended family there now.”

Maxwell previously coached at Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School, guiding the same group of players all the way up to the high school level. “Even when I was coaching in the middle school, I told them that the goal was to play for a state championship,” said Maxwell.

“I didn’t know I would move up with them at the time, that’s just how it worked out.”

While the Bucs were rolling through a 26-2 season last winter, going nearly wire-to-wire as the state’s top-ranked team, Maxwell was coping with personal tragedy. On Oct. 6, Jeremy’s wife of six years, Miranda, passed away after a lengthy illness.

Maxwell credited the support of his team through the grieving process.

“We have been through some of the best times in our lives as well as the worst times in a short period of time.”

“To watch us grow through that and supporting each other through that is really what it is all about. We won a lot of games but the most important thing is that they’ve become better human beings and I did too for being around them.”

Maxwell has accepted a new teaching position at West Fairmont Middle School and will be stepping away from the game of basketball for now. “As much as I loved coaching, I missed being around my son (Gideon) even more,” said Maxwell.

“I just felt like it was a time in my life where I needed to step back and reevaluate, spend more time with him. He is only three and a half. He needs his daddy around.”

Maxwell leaves Buckhannon with fond memories of his players and the people of Upshur County.

“I don’t know if there is better community support anywhere in the state,” he said. “Everywhere we travel there is a sea of blue. They love Buccaneer basketball there. They have supported me wholeheartedly. I have given everything I can to them and they have given me a lot more in return.”