Decker wants ‘new identity’ for Armuchee boys’ team

There will be a familiar face on the bench for Armuchee basketball games next season. And he’ll utilize the lessons taught throughout his life in leading the Indians into competition.

Clint Decker, who has served as an assistant coach at Armuchee for the last six years, was announced as the new head coach of the Indians on Tuesday. He has worked with past head coaches Kerry Wildes and Ray Tucker, who total 78 years of basketball coaching experience.

“We want to play an up-tempo brand of basketball, and everything we do will be geared toward reaching that goal,” Decker said in a statement. “The style of play we’ll be playing will be something that will give Armuchee basketball a new identity, and one that will be exciting to see unfold.”

Decker first worked with Tucker when came to Armuchee as a social science teacher in 2011.

“His knowledge of basketball is second to none,” commented Decker. “I learned so much about the game of basketball and how to manage a basketball team successfully working with coach Tucker.”

Armuchee has struggled in recent years, winning 10 or fewer games a season the last four seasons. Decker said he wants the team to be consistently competitive and will look to a solid group of returning players to begin that process.

“They will be the building blocks of what we hope to accomplish here at Armuchee,” added Decker. “I believe that people will see a different Armuchee boys’ basketball program than they are accustomed to seeing, and I am excited about the upcoming season.”

A graduate of Jacksonville State University, Decker played high school basketball in Cherokee County, Alabama, for coach Neal Wester, one of the most successful coaches in North Alabama.