Dayna Jordan called the support “overwhelming.”
Jordan – formerly Broughton’s girls’ basketball coach who was fired in late April despite a 190-93 record in 11 seasons (20-8 last year) and a 4A state championship in 2005 – received an outpouring of calls, emails, texts and even cards from those who wanted reach out to her. Former players, their parents, opposing coaches and former co-workers all contacted her in the following months.
And that was all the affirmation she needed to continue coaching.
Jordan was named the new girls’ basketball coach at Athens Drive on Tuesday.
“I appreciated all the support I received,” Jordan said. “I contemplated staying home, and then just felt like I could continue to make a difference. And as long as I felt that way, I felt like I needed to continue to coach.”
Jordan, a nonfaculty coach who stays at home with her three children, was the Cap-8 Conference coach of the year for the 2011-12 season. Broughton had become one of the area’s most successful programs. The Caps won five conference titles, reached the playoffs nine times and advanced to the East regional final twice.
There were other Wake County openings for a girls’ basketball coach at Leesville Road and Wake Forest-Rolesville, both schools in the Cap-8 Conference with Broughton. Going to another conference was important to Jordan, and why she’ll be leading the Jaguars in the Tri-9 Conference next year.
“I’m excited about having a new group of parents and players and hope that I can help the team out to the best of my abilities,” Jordan said.
Jordan replaces Patrick Daly, who left for Cary after two seasons at Athens Drive.
Other coaching hires: Athens Drive has also hired Luis Satorra to coach girls’ soccer. Satorra, a 13-year veteran playing professionally in France, has coached at club team Triangle United since 2010. He also coached youth soccer clubs in France.
