Speed Retires From Fairland After 15 Seasons

PROCTORVILLE — When the fourth quarter horn went off in the district tournament, it signaled an end to the Fairland Dragons’ season.

As it turned out, it brought the coaching career of Nathan Speed to a halt as well.

“I’m retiring from basketball. I’ve been doing this for a long time. I need a break,” said Speed as he announced his retirement.

Fairland's Nathan Speed watches from the sidelines of a game last season.

“I didn’t want to wait until the May (board) meeting. I wanted to get somebody hired, let them have their summer and plan their summer.

Speed just completed his 15th season as the boys coach and racked up a 340-111 record and eclipsed the school record for coaching wins as he surpassed the legendary Carl York when he got win No. 322 on Dec. 12 as the Dragons beat South Point 50-46 in overtime.

His best record was 25-2 in 2017. His other 20-win seasons were 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2025. He won 19 games in 2016 and 2019.

His teams won 49 straight OVC games from 2016-2019 which included 7 straight OVC titles. During that stretch, the Dragons posted a 92-6 record overall.

He coached the girls from 2001-04 with a 62-20 record, an OVC title and one sectional. His record with the boys is 278-91.

Speed played for Fairland from the 1989-90 season until 1992-93. He began coaching at the age of 20 as an assistant to Joey Thacker.

Overall, Speed has won 10 OVC championships, posted six 20-win seasons, and guided the boys’ team to the state tournament.

Speed said the games were just part of the process with coaching. He said the important work is done in practice.

“Practice is definitely the fun part, trying different things. That’s when you do your teaching,” said Speed, who will turn 50 years old in May.

Besides the OVC games, Fairland’s non-league schedule has consisted of traveling to the Columbus, Dayton and northern parts of Ohio in order to face additional quality competition.

And while it was necessary to expose his team to a higher level of competition, it also meant a lot of extra hours and miles of travel.

“We had to do that, but it just wears on you. I just felt like those were good times but I just got tired,” said Speed. “I need to take a break and see how things go. Maybe I’ll coach again.”

Fairland athletic director Jeff Gorby said Speed’s impact on the basketball program goes beyond just the wins and losses.

“Coach Speed’s legacy lies in the countless lives he has touched, the players he has mentored, the lessons he has taught, and the character he has modeled,” said Gorby.

“His influence stretches far beyond the basketball court and will continue to shape the hearts and minds of those in Dragon Nation and beyond for years to come.”