Chad Burgett (right) was introduced as the new Trigg County boys' basketball coach Thursday. Former Hopkins County standout Albert Jackson will also be joining Burgett's coaching staff.
Trigg County High School has tapped Chad Burgett to be their new boys’ basketball coach. The Hopkins County native was introduced to the school and community Thursday morning.
Burgett has coached two stints at Dawson Springs and took Hopkins County Central to the school’s only Sweet 16 in 2000.
Burgett said he is familiar with Trigg County, having coached against them in recent years. He said the talent in place at both the varsity and lower levels was the main drawing card to Trigg County. He told the team members in attendance to expect an up-tempo and pressing style of play that fits the personnel on the floor.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the announcement came in the form of 6-foot-10 Albert Jackson, who will join Burgett’s coaching staff. Jackson played at Hopkins County Central before finishing his senior season at Oak Hill Academy. He went on to play at the University of Georgia for Dennis Felton and played against Kentucky in the famous ‘tornado game’ – the 2008 SEC Tournament game moved to Georgia Tech after a tornado struck the Georgia Dome. Burgett said Jackson, who most recently played professionally in Thailand, will work with the post players.
Burgett is a graduate of South Hopkins High School. He served as an assistant coach under Terry Hayes one season at Dawson Springs before taking over the head coaching job in 1996. He guided the Panthers to a 13-14 record and the school’s first district title since 1959. That Dawson Springs team was edged by Trigg County in the championship game of the All-A Classic Region Tournament.
He was 46-34 in three seasons at Dawson Springs before taking the Hopkins County Central job in 1999.
In his first season, the Storm was 26-6 and won the school’s only Second Region title. Despite losing all five starters, Hopkins Central followed that up with a 21-9 record and a region runner-up finish. He was 69-27 in three seasons with the Storm before making the move into administration.
After 15 years away from coaching, he returned to Dawson Springs in 2017. The Panthers were 21-40 the past two seasons. His overall record as a head coach is 136-101.
Burgett takes over for Payton Croft, who took the Mayfield job last month after six seasons as head coach. Croft won 85 games and three district championships during his time at Trigg County.
Burgett was planning to meet individually with his players Thursday and said he expects to have a busy summer with his team.
