RABBITTOWN, Ga. — When Brad Cochran saw the East Hall girls basketball job post, he immediately jumped at it.
"It didn't take too long," he said. "I was sitting around waiting on an opportunity. I had already stepped down at Union County on great terms, then I was waiting for the right thing to pop up, and Justin (Wheeler) stepped down. So, I sent an email, and it got the ball rolling."
Cochran, a North Hall graduate, is no stranger to Hall County. He's also no stranger to Hall County basketball, but the drive to Union County wasn't easy. After all, the drive over Blood Mountain from Hall County takes at least an hour, and when you're trying to build a basketball program, you have to be there more than eight hours a day.
That's just one reason Cochran spent just one season in Blairsville. The other, he's coming home to Hall County.
"I jumped at the opportunity to get back into high school at Union County," he said. "But I couldn't do that drive anymore and couldn't move there. To build a program, you have to be around, and I couldn't promise them that.
"I'm coming home. I'm born and raised in Hall County. So, It's like coming home for me. It's very special to be home and give back to the community where I grew up."
Cochran, 38, has 16 years of coaching experience at the college and high school levels. He's also coached under two legendary coaches, Seth Vining and John Carrick, both stints at Lakeview. He also was an assistant at Shorter and Piedmont.
So, his experience is more valuable than most, and he's taken really good notes during his time in college and under Vining and Carrick. If you're wondering how he'll transcribe those notes to the court, it'll most likely have in-your-face run and jump defense and a fast-moving offense. It's a familiar system at East Hall.
"I want to play fast," he said. "I know everybody has known East Hall to play fast. Coaching with coach Vining for two years, I've developed the same systems. I love the run and jump defense. I'm not saying we're going to do it, but we're going to apply a lot of pressure on defense, and offensively, we'll make you move defensively. We're not going to stand still. We're going to move the ball up the floor."
The Lady Vikings finished last season on a hot streak, winning four straight to make the Class 4A state tournament. But early on in the season, they were plagued with several injuries that had the Lady Vikings on the struggle bus. They finished the season 11-19.
However, Cochran sees a lot of potential in the program. He should. He has 11 of his 12 players returning, including star guard Amari Burce.
"I see East Hall as a legendary program that can continue that legacy with who they have now and build a future there," he said. "We need to build the foundation in the lower levels -- in the middle school and park and rec levels. I'm excited about the talent I have and the scheme of basketball that we want to play. It's going to get Lady Viking basketball exciting again. That's my goal to get it exciting again and build that reputation that Hall County basketball has always been known for and maintain it."
Pending board approval, Cochran will officially begin in June.
