Greg Graham resigns as Warren Central basketball coach

Greg Graham resigned from his post as Warren Central High School basketball coach on Thursday afternoon after seven seasons at the school.

Graham, a 1989 Indiana All-Star at Warren Central and former standout guard at Indiana, was 80-74 in his tenure at his alma mater. He informed the Warren Central players and administration of his decision after school.

Graham, 44, said family decisions played a major factor in his decision. His wife's job had relocated her to Rhode Island, so Graham had spent this school year away from his family. He said he plans to put out feelers for small college coaching opportunities in New England when he visits his family over spring break.

"It's timing," Graham said of his decision. "I've been here all by myself this year and that's been difficult. It was a hard decision, but I told these guys that you're going to be faced with hard decisions in life. Hopefully the next coach can get them to the next level. I feel like the program is in really good shape, which was the hardest part about leaving this job."

Warren Central was always dangerous under Graham, advancing to the Marion County tournament championship on three occasions. The Warriors were never able to get out of the sectional under Graham, however. His best team was probably the 2011-12 edition, which finished 14-7 and shared the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference championship with Carmel

That team, led by current Indiana player Devin Davis Jr., lost a 61-58 heartbreaker to Lawrence Central in the sectional.

"I never had any regrets," said Graham, who played five seasons in the NBA following his career at Indiana. "Should we have won games we didn't? Yeah. Did we win some games we shouldn't have? Yeah. But when it's all said and done, I wanted give some life lessons to the guys who played for me. Hopefully I helped them to be better prepared when they enter the workforce."

Graham said he had nothing but respect for the administration and community at Warren Central. The Warriors were 10-12 this season, which ended with a 72-65 loss to Cathedral on Tuesday in Sectional 10. Warren Central brings back a solid core, led by senior-to-be Djimon Henson.

"They should be very competitive," Graham said.

Warren Central athletic director Marques Clayton thanked Graham for his work the past seven years.

"Greg Graham is a product of the Eastside and he embodies what it means to be a Warren Central Warrior," Clayton said. "His success on the basketball court, at all levels, opened a lot of doors for him personally. However, Greg chose to return to his alma mater and to a community that helped make him the outstanding human being he is today. Greg Graham is not only one of the best basketball players that the state ever produced, but he is one of the best human beings we have ever worked with. We wish coach Graham and his family the best as they start a new chapter of their lives on the East Coast."

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.