by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
Coaches often coach how they were coached. Likewise for teachers and others who work with children.
Christian McGhee is the head varsity boy’s basketball coach at Red Cloud High School, South Dakota. He is in his eight year with a 117-41 record. He also serves as the Athletic Director.
“I am Yankton Sioux and Rosebud Sioux but I am from and live in Pine Ridge, SD,” said Christian.
“I graduated from Red Cloud HS in 2008,” said Christian. “I was a Mr. South Dakota Basketball runner up and First Team All State in Class A. I also was on the All Tournament Team at State and Lakota Nation Invitational (LNI) as well as the Spirit of Su winner.
The Spirit of Su Award is in honor of SuAnne Big Crow. It is a high honor at the state tournament. According to the SDHSAA: “Each year the ‘Spirit of Su’ Award will be given to an outstanding senior player who exemplifies the life of SuAnne Big Crow, Pine Ridge. SuAnne was killed in a car accident on her way to the Miss Basketball Banquet in 1992.”
After high school, Christian played on the men’s basketball team at Chadron State College, Nebraska for four years between 2008-12. He played for the late Brent Bargen who recently passed away last May of 2019. “I admired my college coach,” said Christian.
“As a student athlete I took pride in maintaining good grades as well as being the hardest worker wherever I was,” said Christian. “I learned life skills through basketball: hard work, accountability, being a good teammate, and being a leader and I try to instill that in our student athletes.”
Christian talked about his influences: “Matt Rama has really influenced me as a coach. He was my coach in high school and now is the girl’s head coach at Red Cloud HS.”
Coaches often look to other coaches to find ways to motivate themselves and others. Christian has a best coach quote provided by Bob Ladouceur, retired football coach at De La Salle HS, Concord, CA, and record holder of the longest high school winning streak with 151 games. He said in the movie, When the Game Stands Tall: “We’re not asking you to be perfect on every play. What we’re asking of you and what you should be asking of each other is to give a perfect effort from snap to whistle.”
“To be a successful coach in my eyes isn’t just about winning games, it is about getting the kids to play hard and believe in themselves on and off the court. Motivating them to want to go onto college after high school to help better themselves and others around them,” added Christian.
“I am a really laid back person but I am very self motivated and love to help the students,” said Christian. “I want to make sure when they leave the program they feel they are prepared for the ‘real world’ and understand nothing comes easy to them and they have to work for everything they get.”
Christian wears at least two hats being a basketball coach and an athletic director. “I bring passion and pride for what I do. I will give my all everyday to both jobs to make the student athletes feel like they are supported and cared about. I feel I can motivate kids to want to be successful on and off the court and I do that by leading by example and showing them what it means to be passionate, dedicated, and a good person overall,” added Christian.
The Red Cloud HS team made a state appearance in 2017-2018 and finished in 5th Place. The team is always striving to meet their goals to win the LNI, Black Hills Conference and go to the state tournament. “We play fast and uptempo,” said Christian. “We want to push the ball and get after it defensively. Balanced attack with ‘3s’ and inside game.”
Former player Koby O’Rourke (2012-16) talked about his coach: “For me, to this day Christian has been there for me countless times when I needed someone to talk to whether it’s about basketball or life in general. He has become like a big brother to me and he is someone you know you can count on. I loved playing for him in high school and wished I could go back to them days and be apart of Red Cloud Basketball again. Talk about intense practices, I remember no matter what we had to communicate and talk about at all times at practice, sometimes I felt like I was about to pass out. Christian pushes you to your limits, and only likes the people who dedicate their time and works hard behind the scenes. I just want to thank him for helping me become the best leader and basketball player I can be. He is a great coach and he sets a great example for our youth back home.”
There are many former Red Cloud HS student athletes competing in college. Other schools should be inquiring how this is happening. “I think we just set the bar high,” said Christian. “We also have had kids do it and I think kids just believe they can do it, and they see what it takes from the people prior to them. Expectations of hard work and overcoming adversity are always talked about. The support system is there as well from multiple people for the kids.”
Photo Credit: SDPB
