David Long reflects on 30 years as Columbia River's basketball coach: 'I've had it good for a long time'
VANCOUVER, Wash. — David Long wore his lucky tie.
No, the article of his coaching wardrobe didn't extend his coaching career one more game. But former players, their families, school staff had plenty to celebrate on Thursday night after Columbia River's season-ending loss to Shelton at the buzzer, 50-48, in a District 4 2A play-in game.
Long spent 30 years as Columbia River's head boys basketball coach. He coached his last game on Thursday night after announcing it would be his final season in the fall. He spent 35 years at the school, also serving as the golf coach, and even had a stint as a learn-on-the-fly soccer coach in 1987.
He finishes with 11 league titles and five trophy finishes at state, headlined by a runner-up finish to Franklin in 2009. In total, he's won 456 career games on the boys side — and 32 wins over two seasons as the girls coach (1991-92) — which place him high on the all-time Washington high school wins list. His father Sonny Long, who is among Oregon's all-time winningest coaches, was on the bench as an assistant for many of them.
Former players and community members came in droves to River's last regular season home game on Feb. 4 to celebrate Long.
SBLive caught up with Long moments after coaching his last game.
He reflects on his favorite games, final season and more:
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