June 21, 2026
Johnny Galyon steps down as West girls basketball coach after three decades
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After over 600 wins, seven state tournament appearances and three decades of work, Morristown West head girls’ basketball coach Johnny Galyon tendered his resignation on Wednesday.
“West High is a special place that will always hold a special place in my heart,” Galyon said. “There are so many people that made my job a lot easier than it should have been but I will forever be indebted Hamblen county school board and our superintendents, to my administrations current and past, Mr. (Jeff) Kinsler and Mr. (Calvin) Decker are the best, Mike Reed who has always been there for me, all my assistants, of course coach (Heather) Kelley who stood alongside this program for 25 years need to be thanked. The players, the parents, the support staff I really appreciate all of them. I think all we wanted was to produce year in and year out a team that would make us all proud and I think we accomplished that for the most part. I’ve made some lifelong friendships through basketball that was such a blessing. I’m gonna miss the competition, seeing the kids develop and the bonds that we created with each team over the years.”
Galyon said the decision ultimately came down to family.
“This decision was tough but it is time for me to be there with my two young kids (Noah and Mia) and help them I’ve missed a lot of their games and other events and this decision was primarily based off my wanting to be there for them more.”
Galyon exits the program as one of the most accomplished coaches to come through the school. At the team level, in addition to his seven trips to state, Galyons squads won six region championships, 10 IMAC championships, appeared in 12 sub-state games and were region runners-up six times. His 2010 squad finished as the state runners-up.
Galyon was also an A.F Bridges Award winner in 2011, nine-time district Coach of the Year and an eight-time Citizen Tribune Lakeway Area Coach of the Year.
He coached one Tennessee Miss Basketball winner, Taylor Hall, who was also named Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year. Hall, Kala Greene and Sidney Newsome appeared on the all-state team during his tenure.
“We would like to thank Coach Johnny Galyon for his outstanding dedication and service as our Head Girls’ Basketball Coach,” Decker said in a statement to the Citizen Tribune. “During his tenure, Coach Galyon built a highly successful program, highlighted by seven trips to the state tournament, while consistently developing student-athletes both on and off the court. His commitment to excellence, leadership, and the growth of young women in our program has left a lasting impact on our school and community.
“We respect his decision to step away from the position and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors. The search for our next Head Girls’ Basketball Coach is currently underway, and we are actively accepting resumes as we look to continue the strong tradition of our program.”
Galyon will continue to work at Morristown West, just not in the coaching role he has held for so long.
“I will continue to be at West on staff as a teacher and hopefully keep up with all sports teams so really it’s not goodbye maybe it’s just I’ll see you later.”
