Coach Gene Durden: Post Pre-practice drills

The Coach

Kevin Furtado

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Coach Durden is entering year fourthteen as head girl's coach of the Buford Lady Wolves. He is originally from Midville, GA and played basketball at Coastal Community College in Brunswick, GA., where he received an Associate Degree in Business. He then attended Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education. He teaches Personal Fitness and Team Sports classes at Buford High School.Overall, Coach Durden is in his 31th season as a head coach. This past year the Lady Wolves achieved a 29 and 3 and won the 5A State Championship for second straight year. Durden's Lady Wolves have played in eight of the past ten state championship games, while winning the state titles in 2018, 2017, 2015, 2011, 2010 and 2009. The Lady Wolves were also state runners up in 2014 and 2012. In 2017, the Lady Wolves achieved a 29 and 2 record and won their first state championship in class 5A.  In 2015, the Lady Wolves achieved a 30 and 3 record and won the 4A State Championship. In 2011, the Lady Wolves achieved a 29 – 3 record and won the 2A State Championship for the third straight year. In 2010, the Lady Wolves achieved a 29 – 4 record and won the AA State Championship for the second straight time in Buford High School history. In 2009, Buford won its first 2A State Championship in Durden's fourth year of taking over the program. The 2009 team had a 32 – 1 record and set the stage and expectations for the years to come. Durden's 28th coaching season also brought in another milestone in his coaching career when he accomplished winning over 700 career wins during the 2015/2016 season. Durden’s overall career record is 779 and 212.  During the thirteen years at the helm of the Buford basketball program, Durden has guided the Lady Wolves to 6 state championships, 2 state runner ups, 8 region championships and a program record of 348 – 68. The Buford Lady Wolves have participated in the 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A State Tournaments during all thirteen years of Durden's tenure at Buford High School.
He previously coached at Dade County High School in Trenton, GA for 14 years. During his 14 year tenure at Dade, the Lady Wolverines won 7 Region Championships, competed in 13 AA State Tournaments, competed in 3 Final Fours, and competed in 3 AA State Championship games. Dade's program record was 333 – 88 during his coaching tenure.