SNEAKERS SQUEAKING on polished hardwood, the rhythmic thump of a bouncing ball, and the crowd’s thunderous roar make up the soundtrack of DJ Best’s world. But for this passionate E. C. Glass High School basketball coach in Lynchburg, the true echoes resonating long after the final buzzer are the voices of young men whose lives he shapes.
Best’s journey into coaching was a natural progression fueled by his lifelong passion for sports and a desire to give back to his community.
“I realized that it’s a great way to continue to give back to those around you even if you don’t have a lot because you are giving the one thing that most people ask for — time,” he explained.
Connected to the school through his wife, Desha, an alumna, Best seized an opportunity to volunteer with the basketball program as head coach of the junior varsity (JV) team. He connected instantly with the head coach’s philosophy and infectious enthusiasm. When coach Roy Roberson left the program, leading the team was a natural progression.
About the transition, Best said, “The following year, the JV team was moving up to varsity, so they already respected me. We were able to understand [there were] going to be some changes, and we weren’t going to be the best, but we had to keep working. We had to believe in the system and how things work and trust that it will improve.”
Balancing his coaching duties with a full-time job at L3Harris is a rewarding challenge. Best finds joy and fulfillment in mentoring young athletes while being supported by his family’s enthusiasm for the program. “If you are doing something you love, are you really ‘working’?” he asked.
He doesn’t just focus on basketball Xs and Os. He aims to build an integrated system or environment that supports the overall development of his players, the way L3’s integrated systems support seamless communication across complex networks. Best’s approach to coaching is rooted in creating a family atmosphere where players feel valued and supported both on and off the court. Mandatory study halls, team meals, and bonding activities foster a sense of camaraderie and accountability.
“One of the best things I’ve done is just a strong implementation of family,” Best explained. “We have mandatory study hall four days a week and team meals before every game. We do bonding activities, we go hiking, we play things like bingo, and we have a lot of fun. My whole family is involved, and they all love their basketball brothers, sons, and so forth.”
This comprehensive approach extends beyond the court. Best opens his home to his players and remains a constant presence in their lives — even after graduation.
“I try my best to get to know every kid on the team outside of ‘just a basketball player on the team,’ but more so as a person,” he said.
With a current record of 99-37, Best’s ultimate goal is to win a state championship, a feat the team narrowly missed in 2023. But his true measure of success lies in his players’ personal growth and development. Because of Best, players leave the basketball court with a mindset of excellence that will change their future
He added, “The goal is that others see their growth. My guys already know I believe in them, and I believe they can be better than any situation that they are put in. I want them to constantly think of ‘what would coach DJ do in this situation?’ An additional goal is to continue to make sure every person graduates and has the next steps in place.”
As he looks towards the future, Best hopes to be remembered not for his win-loss record but for the countless lives he has impacted and the young men he has helped shape into responsible, respected members of their communities.
“When it’s time for me to hang it up, what I hope to accomplish is the continued impact of the youth,” he said. “I know people measure success by wins and losses. But as a coach, I want to be remembered for the number of lives I’ve changed, the impact I have made on young men, and how my impact on them from the hardwood helped make the school better but also helped them prepare for the real world.”
In a world where coaches are often judged solely by wins and losses, Best stands apart as a mentor whose true impact extends far beyond the basketball court. The lives of the young men he has guided will carry the echoes of his influence for years to come — a living example of how coaching can shape character and forge lasting bonds that transcend the game itself. GN
