Matt Carson is pictured coaching the Lynchburg-Clay Mustangs in this file photo. (HCP Photo/Stephen Forsha)
Matt Carson is pictured coaching the Lynchburg-Clay Mustangs in this file photo. (HCP Photo/Stephen Forsha)
DODSONVILLE — When one hears Matt Carson speak about his time as the head coach of the Lynchburg-Clay Mustangs boys basketball program, one won’t hear him mention all of the success he had during his tenure as LCHS coach, which included a regional championship and a Final Four appearance.

They might hear Carson talk about how, during his time as the LCHS head coach, the Mustangs were able to “row the boat” as a complete team, and how it has always been about the players on the court with Carson, whether it was the past nine seasons at LCHS or at one of his previous stops as a varsity basketball head coach. 

Carson resigned as the Mustangs’ boys coach this past March, ending one of the most successful tenures as a head coach in school history. It took Carson some time to reflect on his nine years at LCHS, but again, like he has his entire coaching career, the head coach spoke highly about his players and those involved in the program, rather than his coaching accomplishments. 

“This past March, I made the decision to step away from the basketball position at Lynchburg-Clay. I’m thankful for the opportunity God blessed me with to be a part of this school district and be its coach for the past nine years,” Carson said. “LC basketball is and will always be about family, relationships and more than just wins and losses. Although we — and I say ‘we’ as in the players, assistants, administration, teachers, scorekeepers, anyone involved with the program — accomplished a lot on the court, it was off the court and the relationships that I’ll forever cherish the most.”

Though Carson doesn’t speak about his accomplishments as a head coach, it must be noted he’s only the second coach in LCHS boys program history to lead the team to the Division III State Final Four. During the 2015-16 season, the Mustangs won a program-best 25 games, finishing with an overall record of 25-3, and they were 19-2 in the regular season. 

Carson finishes with an overall record at Lynchburg-Clay — nine seasons — of 106-104, as Carson is the longest-tenured boys basketball head coach in program history, while gaining the most wins while boys coach for the Mustangs.

Also while at Lynchburg-Clay, Carson’s teams won two Southern Hills Athletic Conference championships, two sectional championships, one district championship and the aforementioned regional championship. 

In his coaching career, Carson — who became a head coach in 2006-07 at Fairfield and also coached one season at Westfall — has 168 career wins.

Lynchburg-Clay Athletic Director Mark Faust spoke highly of Carson this week. 

“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Coach Carson over the past nine seasons,” Faust said. “Coach Carson was more than a coach. He was a mentor, a friend and a role model for the players that came through the program. His presence, both on the sideline and in the locker room, will be greatly missed.”

Carson spoke about how coaching is a calling for him, not just about the wins and losses on the court, but added he’s looking forward to spending time with his family. 

“Coaching is a calling, and one that I’m thankful God called me to do,” he said. “We hope to have an impact on those we coach, but along the way I’ve realized how much of an impact those players have had on me.

“My calling right now is to be the best husband and father I can be to my wife and two sons.”