ROCKINGHAM — Known for his “tough but fair” coaching style, former Richmond Senior High School boys’ basketball coach Thomas Baucom’s name has been etched in the record books of the program’s history.
Baucom, more affectionately known as “Coach Tom,” passed away at the age of 71 last week. A Richmond County native and a graduate of Rohanen High School (1966), Baucom would make a name for himself not only as a high school coach, but as an esteemed educator in the area.
A graduate of Pembroke State University in 1970, Baucom entered the education and coaching professions at Bennettsville Junior High School and returned home to teach at Hamlet Junior High School in 1977. A decade later, Coach Tom accepted the head basketball coaching position at Richmond, where he would create a highlight reel career.
During his time as the Raiders’ front man, Baucom coached 10 seasons from the 1987-88 through the 1996-97 school years. He compiled a 194-79 overall record, for a winning percentage of .711, making him the all-time winningest coach in program history.
In the span of that decade, Baucom and the Raiders won six conference championships. Three were outright titles, while the other three saw Richmond named as co-conference champions. Save for the 1992-93 winter, the Raiders never finished below second place in the conference standings under Coach Tom’s direction.
Five times Baucom saw his team record 20-plus win seasons (89-90, 90-91, 91-92, 95-96 and 96-97). By tenure’s end, he averaged 19.4 wins per season and the Raiders also won four conference tournament and four Christmas tournament championships. The 25 recorded wins in both the 95-96 and 96-97 seasons are a program best that still stands today.
Another program record that still holds is Baucom’s .862 winning percentage during his next-to-last year. In 1995-96, the Raiders tallied a 25-4 record to obtain that winning percentage.
Perhaps Baucom’s biggest career accomplishment was taking the Raiders to three state title games, as well as making the playoffs in nine of his 10 years. Richmond would win the Eastern State Championship three times, setting it up with a trip to the big dance during the 87-88, 95-96 and 96-97 seasons.
Although the Raiders finished as the 4A state runner-up all three times, it’s a feat that hasn’t been accomplished before or since Baucom’s coaching career. Other career accolades include being named the Associated Press’ North Carolina High School Coach of the Year in 1988, as well as serving as a coach in the 1997 East-West All-Star Game.
Coach Thomas Baucom, 1996 RSHS yearbook photo.
In memory of Coach Baucom’s legacy as the Raiders’ all-time winningest coach, ROSports reached out to several former players to offer their respective thoughts on a coach who not only taught them to love the game of basketball, but also helped them become the men they are today.
Donald Pettigrew, current RSHS boys’ basketball coach
Pettigrew will begin his third season as the Raiders’ head coach this winter, and he credits Baucom for much of his coaching successes so far. A three-year varsity player under Baucom from 1994 through 1997, Pettigrew was on both teams that went to back-to-back state title game appearances.
“Coach Baucom was a strict coach who pushed us every day,” Pettigrew recalled. “He was a great guy to be around, and he really knew his xs and os. He was a great teacher, a great coach and made all of us better players. Coach really loved the game and he impacted a lot of people, including me.
“He was never one to show a lot of emotion,” he continued. “But I remember he came down and coached the fourth quarter of state championship game after he had a heart attack my junior year. That says a lot about him as a person and how much he loved the game and his players.”
As time progressed, Pettigrew and Baucom were reunited on the court in various coaching roles. Pettigrew said he admired Baucom’s willingness to “always check in with me and give me pointers” as he began his head coaching career.
Teddy Moseley, current RSHS girls’ basketball coach
Moseley played for Baucom as a point guard and shooting guard during the 94-95 and 95-96 seasons, also making one trip to the state title game. This winter will see Moseley conduct his second season as the Lady Raiders’ head coach, and he echoed Pettigrew’s sentiments on Baucom.
“He was a good coach, and was really tough on us,” Moseley said. “But he never wanted anything but the best for us. Now being a coach, I see exactly where he was coming from. He wanted to win and got the best out of us as players.
“I can remember how much he cared about his players,” he continued. “Coach knew the game really well and knew how to maximize the talent that he had. He’d joke around with us but he knew when to get serious.”
Moseley added that Baucom was “really proud of (Pettigrew) and me, and always came to our games to give pointers,” something both coaches have “taken to heart.” Moseley and Pettigrew served as pallbearers during Baucom’s funeral.
Jonathan Neely, 94-95 season through 96-97 season
Perhaps one of the best players to play under Baucom’s tutelage was Neely, who described himself as a “city kid who moved to North Carolina.” It was Baucom’s guidance as a coach, teacher and friend that Neely said helped make him into the man he is today. Neely, who is 6-10, played collegiate basketball at UNC-Charlotte.
“I had a great relationship with him. He was like a father to me,” Neely explained. “But he was also a tutor, a teacher, a coach, a friend and a confidant. He was a great man to talk to. He understood basketball and understood me as a kid, he saw my talent and potential and made it better. Coach definitely participated into making me a great man.
“Coach Baucom was a tough guy, but that meant he protected who he loved,” he continued. “It was a beautiful thing to have him adapt to me. He helped me focus on academics, and his wife was one of the sweetest ladies I ever met. That gave me insight into relationships and marriage.”
Neely also recalled often going to Baucom’s classroom his senior year just to talk to his coach about all aspects of life. It was that “wisdom that prepared me for the next level and how to overcome certain obstacles like racism.”
He closed by saying it was a “blessing” having him on his side, and for Bacuom to “rest in peace and that I love you always.”
Allen Adeimy, 1994-95 season
Adeimy, who is the physical education teacher and athletic director at Ellerbe Middle School, was a multi-sport athlete during his time at Richmond. He played for Baucom as a guard his junior year during the 1994-95 season and reflected on his coach’s fairness.
“Coach Baucom was a really cool guy, and he was tough but fair in his coaching,” Adeimy commented. “He had a lot of talent come through the program, and when he had it, he won with it. I remember he wanted to play at a quick pace and wanted guards who pushed the ball.
“He was also very fatherly,” he added. “I was injured for part of my junior year and I was keeping stats on the bench and I remember him talking to me about all sorts of things. He always wanted to help us, and he challenged us no matter what.”
Coach Thomas Baucom is survived by his wife of 49 years, Brenda Sherrill Baucom, as well as his sons Brian Baucom (Rockingham) and Ryan Baucom (Charlotte), along with a large extended family.
Information from this article was provided by Baucom’s obituary, written by Watson-King Funeral Home.
