**Larry McKenzie cuts down the net in the Target Center following the North High Polars win in the 2017 state championship.** Photo by Azhae’la Hanson

By Azhae’la Hanson, Reporter
Larry A. McKenzie always hated being called a legend. But it wasn’t until he announced his retirement in early August after 40 years of coaching boys basketball that he started to soften on the idea.

His impact is worthy of legendary status, especially on the Northside. Calls poured in, news outlets made his announcement a top headline and former players and fans reminisced over his six state titles, four at Henry High School and two for North High School. He may not hear from a hall of fame, mostly because he is already enshrined in several.

“I used to get offended when people would call me a legend,” McKenzie laughed. “But then I got calls from all

over the world saying their thanks. I didn't know how much I meant to the community, I kept my head down and did what I was always used to doing.”

McKenzie retires with a 472-164 win-loss record over 22 seasons at Henry, Holy Angels and North High Schools. Only two other coaches have won more state titles.

Although his list of accomplishments is long, he believes his legacy is built, not in the accolades, but believing in his players as men. A mentor did the same for him.

**Larry McKenzie coaches the Polars in the 2017 championship at the Target Center.** Photo by Azhae’la Hanson

McKenzie said he was a very angry teenager. At 19, he met a man named John K. Cameron who was integral in shaping the coach many know and love today. Cameron was the first person to give unconditional love to McKenzie. His own father didn’t tell him he loved him until he was in his 50s.

“I would say that Larry A. Mckenzie couldn't have played for Coach Mckenzie,” he said. “I was angry, and didn’t know how to deal with it. In a way, I was a lot like the young men that I coach.”

Cameron had such a monumental impact on McKenzie's life, McKenzie knew he could never repay him. Camreon never expected him to.

“Every single time I tried to give him something he told me that all he wanted from me was for me to allow other people to stand on my shoulders the way he allowed me to stand on his,” he said.

McKenzie carried that with him throughout life, focusing on giving back to young men like himself. It was a way to pay back his late mentor.

As he reflected on his success as a coach, he explained that what separated him from other coaches is the fact that he has his “why.”

McKenzie found his “why” when he was shown unconditional love.

“A lot of coaches know the 'what' and the 'how,'" McKenzie said. “But what separates them from ever being successful is a lot of coaches don’t know their ‘why.’ ”

“Cameron gave me, an angry young man, a second chance,” McKenzie said. “Him and people like the late Clyde Turner saw something in me that I never saw in myself and had an integral part in who I’ve become.”

McKenzie has done more than be present on the court for his players. Former players remember how he would be one of the first to give support when they needed it most.

“We always joke about it as coaches,” McKenzie said. “But it's not about the income, it's about the outcome.”

“We get older, we bury our friends. People see you in passing but never say how much you mean to them until
you’re gone. And to get that while I’m still living is amazing.”

— Larry McKenzie

The makeup of the majority of McKenzie’s players have always been Black men and as someone who used to be in the same shoes as many of his players, McKenzie knows what’s waiting for them after they leave his gym.

“I want to make sure I’m not just preparing these young men to be great basketball players, but I want to make sure I’m preparing them to be great men,” he said.

There are things he taught his players that go beyond skill, and will forever withstand the test of time. For former player Odell Wilson, it was the importance of taking the initiative.

When Wilson was an eighth- grader McKenzie saw his work ethic and entrusted him with a gym key. As the youngest member on the team, McKenzie encouraged him to take the initiative and at age 13, Wilson encouraged old teammates to practice at 5 a.m. and after school until late into the night. McKenzie trusted him with the game because he wanted to win just as much as his young player did.

Wilson was integral in two state championships at North and finished as the second-highest scoring player in team history.

Now playing college basketball, Wilson says his coaches still don’t match up to the greatness of “Coach McKenzie.”

“It’s hard to imagine that I’ll look up to another coach like I look up to Coach McKenzie.” Wilson said. “Coach McKenzie is family and even though it’s been four years since he’s been my coach, he is still there for everything.”

McKenzie’s decision to retire wasn’t an easy one. He was going back and forth about retirement over the last couple of years. But this year, he realized he could no longer give 100 percent of himself to the game. He decided it was time.

Although he says farewell to coaching, there’s no need to worry about losing his presence in the basketball community.

“I want to stay around young people.” McKenzie said. “I want to stay around the game.”

McKenzie has plenty of things planned to keep him busy during his retirement. He is in the process of launching a coaching academy and hopes to become an athletic director after finishing up his master degree in sports leadership.

While exploring other avenues, he wants to spend his retirement making up for lost time with his family. He’s excited to finally be able to watch his grandchildren's soccer games and eat Thanksgiving dinner with his family, which he hasn't done since 1975.

McKenzie has this message for current and former players alike: “Refuse to lose. No matter what the situation is. Get back up, don't quit. It won't be easy. And don’t look at the scoreboard. Just refuse to lose.”

Larry McKenzie hears the final buzzer on a record basketball coaching career