Radford’s Cormany retires as basketball coach after illustrious career

By RODNEY YOUNG

The Patriot

RADFORD – For the first time in 31 years Radford High School will be needing a new boy’s basketball head coach. Rick Cormany has announced he is retiring.

The last 30 years Cormany had been their head man. His record over those years is a remarkable 609-177.

In his 40 years as a head coach, he compiled a 773-249 record. He was head coach at then Rocky Gap High School in Bland County from 1983-1987. He then took over as head coach at Grayson County for five years, 1989 to 1993. Then he became Radford’s head coach in 1994.

Coach Cormany played basketball at George Wythe under former Pulaski County Head Coach Pat Burns.

While at Radford he guided the Bobcats to six Virginia High School League state titles. Winning the championships in 2009, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017 and again in 2019. The 2019 season saw the Bobcats go 30-0.

Under Cormany, Radford also had five VHSL state-runner up finishes and made the final four 15 times. Radford won 12 Region C titles and 22 of the last 23 district regular season championships. They won 16 of the last 17 district tournament championships.

The last two years Radford lost in the state title game to John Marshall High School.

Radford in the last couple months lost 6-7 big man Elijah Kelly as he transferred to Miller School, and then  6-3 guard Gavin Cormany transferred to Oak Hill Academy. Both will repeat their junior years.

Coach Cormany said, “Those transfers didn’t have anything to do with this decision. I really felt like it’s time. I’m at peace with the decision. The last three or four years it’s been a year-to year thing.”

Two of Radford’s assistant coaches, Tommy Hilton and Bill Nichols also will not return for the upcoming season. Ben Fisher, one of Cormany’s assistants, has been recommended to take over as the boy’s head coach.

Radford’s only other boys’ title before Coach Cormany came back in 1949.

Cormany was inducted into Radford’s Hall of Fame in 2021.