Darnell Archey has resigned as the head men鈥檚 basketball coach at the University of Mobile to accept the position of girls鈥� basketball coach at UMS-Wright, where his family has ties. While there has been no official announcement from the University of Mobile, UMS-Wright announced his hiring on Instagram. Archey has an extensive coaching background, highlighted by his successful playing career at Butler University and numerous coaching roles both at the high school and collegiate levels. His tenure includes leading teams to significant achievements, including back-to-back 20-win seasons with Mobile and a notable stint at Butler during their back-to-back National Championship appearances. Archey鈥檚 transition to UMS-Wright marks a return to coaching at the high school level where he is expected to leverage his experience.

By the Numbers
  • 22 years of coaching experience across high school and collegiate levels.
  • Led the Rams to the NAIA National Tournament in 2025 and achieved back-to-back 20-win seasons in 2024 and 2025.
State of Play
  • Archey is transitioning from a collegiate head coaching role to high school coaching at UMS-Wright.
  • UMS-Wright has publicly welcomed Archey, indicating a positive outlook for the program's future.
What's Next

As Archey begins his new role at UMS-Wright, expectations are high for him to enhance the girls' basketball program, leveraging his rich basketball history and coaching expertise. Future initiatives may focus on player development and team competitiveness in Alabama.

Bottom Line

Archey's shift to UMS-Wright exemplifies the impact of personal connections in coaching hires, with the potential for significant program growth under his experienced leadership. His reputation could enhance recruitment and establish a strong competitive presence in Alabama high school basketball.