LANCASTER – What a journey it has been for Lancaster boys’ basketball coach Kent Riggs.
From that small kid growing up in Sugar Grove playing basketball on the playground, to becoming a standout high school player at Berne Union, attending and graduating from college at Otterbein University, to becoming an assistant coach at Canal Winchester, and later becoming the head basketball coach at 24 years old for the Indians. After retiring from there and taking a break, he is beginning his ninth season as the Golden Gales’ head coach.
It has been quite the journey, and on Friday, Nov. 26, he reached a major milestone by winning his 500th career game after the Gales defeated Columbus Briggs, 80-25.
Asked what his first thought was after reaching a record that few in coaching have accomplished, Riggs said, “You think back to all the kids that played for you and all the coaches. It’s been a good run for me, but it’s because of all those guys. I’m not that concerned with how many wins I have, but it is more about the kids who played for you and the ones you coached. It has certainly been a journey. You look back, and it doesn’t seem that long ago, but when you are enjoying what you do, time goes faster. I still have the passion to do it. I think back to those early years, and it was a good start for me. I appreciate the people at Canal Winchester for giving me the opportunity at a young age when they could have hired a lot of other people.”
Riggs’s son, Anthony, who played and coached with him, became a little emotional when talking about his father’s accomplishment.
“I think a lot of people don’t see the hours and the time spent away from his family, so just to see all the hard work and dedication come to fruition is something nice for him,” Anthony said. “There were former players and coaches that showed up tonight, and that speaks volumes to who he is as a coach and person he is, and that’s cool for him. He has never made it about himself. It’s always about his players. He doesn’t think about the 500 games he won, and in his mind, it’s the players who won those. just to be along for the ride has been a blessing for me.”
After graduating from Otterbein University, Riggs became an assistant coach at Canal Winchester under his former high school coach, Ray Mowery. Riggs was elevated as the Indians’ head coach three years later for the 1987-88 season.
In 27 years, Riggs guided Canal Winchester to a 422-194 record and had 23 winning seasons, seven Mid-State League titles, five district championships, and a regional title. He led the Indians to the 2000 Division III state semifinal, where they lost to Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary when LeBron James was a freshman.
Riggs is the Indians’ all-time winningest coach. He was elected to the Canal Winchester Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Mid-State League Hall of Fame in 2013.
Before Riggs was hired at Lancaster in 2016, the Gales had fallen on hard times and had a 41-game losing streak in the Ohio Capital Conference. More than anything, he has brought back respectability to the program. In the four seasons before Riggs took the job, the Gales won only 17 games. Friday was his 78th victory at Lancaster, and he has guided the Gales to three consecutive double-digit win seasons.
“I am proud of what these kids have put into the program since I’ve been here,” Riggs said. “I think right now we are competitive, and it is satisfying. We have a program that is getting better, and the kids are working hard, which makes it fun. The 500 wins are nice, but, to be honest, I am more worried about our guys and what we are going to do next week to try and get another win.”
Spoken like a true coach.
At 500 wins and counting, Riggs picked up his first coaching win 37 years ago against Adena. Who knows how many wins he will end up with whenever he decides to hang up the whistle? One thing is for sure: Riggs etched his name in rare air as one of the coaching greats in the state of Ohio.
Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at twilson@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on X at twil2323.
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Kent Riggs reaches coaching milestone, notches 500th career win
Reporting by Tom Wilson, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette / Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
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