by Shawn Nowlin
The primary objective of a high school coach’s job is to ensure their players understand their role on the team and do what’s necessary to help them reach their full potential.
With varsity head basketball coach Micky Hardy and his assistant Bryan Ashford manning the sidelines for the last two decades, William Fleming High experienced some of its best years in program history.
The coaching legends made a pact that when the time to retire arrived, they would do it together. After creating countless memories both on and off the court, including 350 victories, the longtime friends have decided to call it a career.
Prior to the start of last year, Ashford told Hardy that it would likely be his last. When Fleming lost 74-47 in the Region 5D Tournament to L.C. Bird, he made it official. Recently, both were awarded a key to the city and a proclamation from Mayor Sherman Lea.
“It all happened Friday, July 19, at the Hamlar Event Center on Melrose. Micky called me and said he wanted to do something for my husband Marshall. Both men love and respect each other tremendously,” Linda Ashford said. “Without the other, they wouldn’t have accomplished what they did. We had a band from North Carolina called ‘Spectrum,’ and they made the gathering even more memorable.”
While guiding the Colonels to just one losing season since 2003, Hardy and Ashford worked full-time as supervisors at Coyner Springs Juvenile Detention Center and Health and Physical Education Teachers at Fleming, respectively.
Contemporaries have described the coaches as “great leaders” and “impressive tacticians.”
Their best team was in 2007. That year, they guided the Colonels to the VHSL Group AA Championship, defeating Brunswick 66-57 at VCU’s Siegel Center. Comprising that roster were seniors, Patrick Curtis, Andre Edwards, Bryan Ashford, Marcus Bratton, Winston Zima; juniors, Stephen Anderson, Shaquan Manning, Troy Daniels, Eric Thomas, Jamelle Andrews, Marcus Johnson, Jamelle Hagin; and sophomore Dominique Preston.
Athletes who played for Fleming are known for giving back to the community. Brothers Damon and Ramon Williams, both former Virginia Military Institute stand outs, host their annual Twins Camp. Daniels, who played seven years in the NBA, conducts his annual Dream Big Basketball Camp every summer too.
As former athletes, neither Hardy nor Ashford were a slouch.
A Durham, North Carolina, native, Ashford led the Virginia Tech Hokies to the 1979 Metro Conference Tournament Championship. After losing to the Larry Bird-led Indiana State team, Ashford finished his career with 1,058 points.
After graduating from William Byrd High in 1978, Hardy enrolled at Ferrum College. Two years later, he transferred to Virginia Tech, averaging 7.5 points as a senior.
The numbers only tell part of the story. Hardy and Ashford have been a father figure to many players they’ve coached. Explaining what makes them so special, James Otey ‘06 previously said, “Tough love means having both love and toughness. Players didn’t always agree with their tactics, but when they reflect back as adults, it makes sense why they pushed us so hard.”
Many have expressed gratitude for the contributions both men have made in the community. Wrote William Fleming on its Facebook page, “Congratulations on retirement. The school and community would like to thank you for your years of service. We appreciate the positive impact
you’ve had on the students, staff and wish you the very best in your future endeavors.” Fleming’s next head and assistant basketball coach will have some large shoes to fill. Whoever those individuals are, Hardy and Ashford will be just one call away to offer assistance for sure.
