The man…the myth…the legend. I imagine Don Draper coined that phrase during a company's formative years on Madison Ave., but it applies so very well to our first Black History Month feature.
 
Coach Henry Dickerson will always be known as the first black head coach in Chattanooga's storied basketball history. Now Coach D is not just the first head coach; he left an indelible mark from his time as assistant through first seat tenure. For many, the incredible '90s run is not possible without his efforts.
 
"Coach D was that surrogate father," Chattanooga native and all-time great Johnny Taylor said. "He was always there for us. I thought it was about time. It was well-deserved. It should have happened a long time before that for him. He was that glue to the ship. Everybody heaps praise on Johnny Taylor or other people, but he was that glue. He could get to us in a way others couldn't. And he spoke to us in a way that we just got it."
 
Taylor brought a unique perspective in what the hiring meant in his hometown, "It was historic. He would recruit more in that area. Mark (Smith), Idris (Harper) and all those guys...it was good for our community."
 
He earned his opportunity through his work helping Mack McCarthy build an absolute juggernaut in the Southern Conference. After near misses in the early 90s, the Mocs ran off four SoCon Tournament titles and trips to the NCAA Tournament. McCarthy departed for VCU, Dickerson stayed to take on challenge ahead.
 
"One of the most valuable things that Henry did for me," McCarthy began. "Something that indicated how well he could handle leading a program, he didn't let problems get past my door. He understood then what it was like to be a head coach and what was required to keep a program moving forward."
 
And it was a challenge. The times, they were a changin'. Marshall departed and nationally ranked College of Charleston entered. Davidson began to emerge as Appalachian State and UNC Greensboro came on putting an extra push back.
 
From 1981 through 1997, five schools won SoCon Tourney crowns: Chattanooga (8), ETSU (4), Marshall (3), Davidson (1) and Western Carolina (1). The following four seasons? Four different winners with CofC getting its lone SoCon title joining Davidson, App State and UNCG.
 
That Spartans win in 2001 is a sore spot in the Dickerson era. While his crew won a couple of division titles, they were just seconds away from Coach D taking his own team to the big dance. Despite the knowledge of all involved how integral he was in seven SoCon Championships over 14 years (4-Chattanooga/3-Marshall), it would have been an exclamation point in his coaching career.
 
"Wins like Virginia Tech stand out, they're not there every night," Dickerson noted while adding, "we beat College of Charleston first time we played them at our place. You always remember the good wins. I just thought each night, we played hard, competed and represented the University and community (the right way).
 
"Then there's the ones you don't want to remember but you do. I think there were 2.3 seconds left on the clock after we fought so hard to get back ahead of UNC Greensboro with a chance to go to the NCAA Tournament. We even had a shot at the end that hit the front of the rim.
 
"It was a joy being around those guys, playing, traveling and making a difference in their lives."
 
That's a competitor. Coaches will always tell you the wins are special, but those losses always stick with you…the what might have been.
 
Dickerson's opportunity ended with a 16-win campaign and SoCon South Division co-championship. The administration at the time decided to go another direction moving on from a man who meant so much to so many including his former boss McCarthy whom he partnered with for that historic '90s period.
 
"Henry and I were really close," McCarthy shared. "All you go through as a coaching staff, you know each other's secrets, abilities...we really complemented each other. He absolutely deserved the job. We built the program together. I could not have been prouder. He was an outstanding recruiter, he was an outstanding coach...but at the same time, he was a WAY better person."
 
Dickerson was just the second black leader of a Southern Conference program. To call him a trail blazer is easy and obvious. To call him a leader…an understatement. He was honored at the 74-72 win over UNCG (how apt is that) and got to see the next generation in action with Coach Lamont Paris leading the triumph.
 
"I was proud of the situation (when Paris was hired)," Dickerson explained. "Someone had to start it somewhere and everyone needs an opportunity. One of the things that impressed me was when he was struggling, UTC extended his contract. Everybody needs an opportunity to prove themselves. It means a lot and sets the right tone.
 
"That's all you can ask. That opportunity no matter who are, no matter the color of skin...just a fair opportunity."