After two years as the head basketball coach of Arendell Parrott Academy, Dory Hines is headed to Lander University to become an assistant at the collegiate level. Photo by William ‘Bud’ Hardy / Neuse News

By Junious Smith III

Dory Hines is moving up in the coaching ranks.

Hines recently agreed to be an assistant coach of the men’s basketball program at Lander University in Greenwood, S.C. Hines spent the previous two years as the boys’ basketball head coach of Arendell Parrott Academy after three as an assistant coach under Wells Gulledge. His best year came in 2017-18 when he guided the Patriots to its first playoff appearance since 2011 and an 87-41 win over Faith Christian in the first round.

Hines also won a pair of state titles in football as the Patriots’ defensive coordinator.

“(Football coach and athletic director) Matt Beaman gave me a great opportunity as a defensive coordinator, helping me grow as a coach,” Hines said. “It also helped me become a better basketball coach and (that first year), we played well toward the end of the season. We had great senior leadership in A.J. Banker, Kris Wooten, Connor Bright and Holden Killinger, and it was great for them to see hard work pay off.”

Hines said everything fell into place with the Bearcats and he’s ready to make an impact.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to coach at the collegiate level and the right opportunity came up at Lander,” Hines said. “There’s a lot of responsibility and I’ve got to learn the game here, but I think this was the right time and situation. It’ll definitely be an adjustment, but I’m excited for the challenge.”

APA headmaster Bert Bright said the school wishes Hines the best on his future endeavors.

“From the beginning, we knew that Dory wanted to coach at the collegiate level and he found an ideal situation at Lander,” Bright said. “The opportunity presented itself and we’re thankful for everything he’s done here at Parrott — he left here on great terms and we’re always going to be Coach Hines fans.”

As Hines prepares for the next step, he said he’ll immerse himself into the Lander culture to help bring success to the Bearcats.

“I’ll be a basketball thing year-round for me,” Hines said. “I’ve got a love for the game and I’m calm now, but I’m definitely pumped. To see a lifelong dream come true is amazing.”