Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis North High basketball coach and community pillar Larry McKenzie announces retirement
Minneapolis North Excessive basketball coach and group pillar Larry McKenzie publicizes retirement
For practically a decade, Larry McKenzie has been the boys’ basketball coach at Minneapolis North Excessive College and an necessary and beloved group chief. However after profitable two state championships and coming in second for 2 extra, Coach McKenzie is asking it quits.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – For practically a decade, Larry McKenzie has been the boys’ basketball coach at Minneapolis North Excessive College.
However after profitable two state championships and coming in second for 2 extra, Coach McKenzie is asking it quits.
“I’ve shed just a few tears. It wasn’t a choice I made in haste,” stated McKenzie.
Earlier than he joined North, McKenzie led Patrick Henry to 4 consecutive state titles, the primary coach in Minnesota State Basketball historical past to take action. He’s additionally the primary coach in Minnesota State Excessive College historical past to steer two separate faculties to a number of titles. Now, at 65 years outdated, McKenzie says he needs to spend extra time along with his spouse and 4 grandchildren.
He additionally says adjustments to the sport he loves over time, like overly concerned dad and mom and the brand new identify picture and likeness coverage for highschool athletes in Minnesota satisfied him it was time to maneuver on.
“At this stage, I really feel a little bit too outdated to be coping with that. The sport has modified. It is extra about social media highlights. It is not about constructing groups and profitable highschool championships anymore. Simply determined that is not the basketball I need to be part of,” stated McKenzie.
However colleagues say McKenzie is greater than only a basketball coach.
He teaches his athletes life classes about all the pieces from get into faculty to restaurant etiquette.
North Excessive basketball coach takes gamers for all times etiquette classes
In addition they say he is a pillar of the group who has helped college students get by means of tough instances, just like the homicide of North Excessive quarterback Deshaun Hill, who additionally performed on the freshman basketball group, again in February.
“You may’t substitute his impression. Individuals can attempt however there’s just one Larry McKenzie. And what he does he’s so impactful, each on and off the courtroom, there are going to be large sneakers to fill,” Director of Boys Basketball Operations Minneapolis North and Asst. Boys Basketball coach Trent Witz.
McKenzie says he nonetheless needs to mentor younger coaches and hopes to discover a new function to assist North Excessive, so whereas he could also be stepping again from basketball, he says he isn’t utterly stepping away.
“I like North Minneapolis and I’ll proceed to be part of as many issues as I will be part of,” stated McKenzie.