CHARLESTON, W.Va. — After 10 years guiding South Charleston’s boys basketball program, Black Eagles coach Vic Herbert has stepped down.
“I’m getting ready to retire from teaching before long. I just kind of ran out of gas a little bit,” Herbert said. “I can’t coach the way I want to coach as far as the energy level goes. I just decided that it was time for me to get out and maybe recoup a little bit of energy.”
Herbert, who accumulated 320 wins over 17 years of coaching, however, didn’t close the door on a possible return.
“Maybe try it again in a few years or maybe not — we’ll see how it goes,” Herbert said. “It was a tough decision. I’ve done this a long time. It was a real hard decision to make, but I feel like it’s the right one for myself and my family.”
At 60, Herbert remains undecided on whether he will continue teaching next school year. But he added that he feels good after recent health issues.
“I had a rough time last year with the health thing that went on for so long but that’s all behind me, and I feel really good,” Herbert said. “I want to spend some time with my two sons and look forward to having that extra time now.”
The Black Eagles won 40 straight games in Mountain State Athletic Conference play and were one of the premier programs in Class AAA for long stretches of Herbert’s tenure.
South Charleston also produced a pair of Division I guards in Pierria Henry and Brandon Knapper over a six-year stretch.
“We won several league championships, made the state tournament half the time I was there,” Herbert said. “I’m lucky enough to have a couple state championships at my previous schools, but I had a lot of success at South Charleston over the last ten years. Tickled to have the opportunity and have had that success.
“We tailed off the last few years, but I’ve had a lot of good players and a great administration. That all points to the success that we’ve been able to have.”