CHOCOWINITY — After serving on staff as an assistant in track, football and basketball, Davelle Whitney has been named the head basketball coach of Southside High School.

Whitney is serving his first head coaching position of his career. Whitney grew up in Beaufort County and was a standout for Southside in both basketball and football. He graduated in 2004. He went on to North Carolina Wesleyan College to continue his football and academic career. He graduated from NCWC with a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems in 2009. A couple of years later in 2011, he accepted his first coaching position on the Southside staff.

Southside athletic director, Andrea Quinerly thinks Whitney is deserving of a chance at his first basketball head coaching position.

“First of all I am very excited about coach Whitney stepping in as our new head basketball coach,” Quinerly said. “He has served as an assistant under Sean White and I feel it is his time. The kids are very excited about Whitney being named head coach.”

Whitney served as head boy’s track coach, assistant basketball coach and has been defensive backs coach for the football team for six years.

“He brings a lot of energy,” Quinerly said. “I see that energy being brought to the court as head coach as well. It is going to be a huge difference in responsibilities and work, but I feel he is up to the task.”

White, the former basketball coach and athletic director at Southside also thinks Whitney will be up to the challenge.

“He’s made strides since he took over as an assistant under me,” said White. “He’s really learned a lot. That’s what he told me shortly after I made the announcement that I was leaving. I think he’ll do well. He’s got a good head on his shoulders; he knows the offense that we ran and the multiple sets. I’m not expecting him to do what I did, he’ll go in there and change things up like every head coach will.”

Since Whitney has been coaching other sports, the student-athletes are well aware of the energy he brings to the table.
“He will go into basketball season having already worked with the football players which play both sports. This will be an advantage for him as a coach and to the football players as well,” Quinerly said. “I am very pleased to have (Whitney) represent the Seahawks and am looking forward to an exciting upcoming basketball season.”

Quinerly isn’t the only one fired up about the upcoming season. Whitney is just as ready to go.

“I am super happy to be the new head coach,” Whitney said. “I can’t wait to start the season.”