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Mike Wilbanks, Darryl Brown, and Greg Lloyd Share How Leadership, Resilience, and Strong Team Culture Shaped Their State Title-Winning Seasons

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擜s football fans prepare for this weekend鈥檚 Super Bowl, the nation鈥檚 attention turns to the traits that elevate good teams into great ones鈥攍eadership, chemistry, resilience, and a commitment to collective success. Those same qualities, often celebrated on the NFL鈥檚 biggest stage, have also defined three North Carolina high school programs that captured state championships this season. Remarkably, all three teams are led by Gardner鈥慦ebb University alumni, whose coaching philosophies trace back to lessons learned long before their own players ever take the field.

These coaches鈥擥reg Lloyd, 鈥�02, of Crest High School; Mike Wilbanks, 鈥�98, of Shelby High School, and Darryl Brown, 鈥�00, of Grimsley High School鈥攔epresent three different classifications in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA), an organization of 447 member schools. Despite distinct team cultures and competitive landscapes, each coach emphasizes a shared foundation: championship seasons are built not only on talent, but on trust and personal growth.

Mike Wilbanks: Leadership and Chemistry

Wilbanks has led the Shelby Golden Lions since 2019 and works alongside several fellow GWU alumni on his staff: Chris Emery, 鈥�98; Jamie Dunaway, 鈥�13; Dobson Collins, ’08; and current GWU student, Sam Baldree. He attributes his team鈥檚 title run to two essential ingredients. 鈥淭he senior leadership on this team was phenomenal. Their work ethic and commitment to excellence really permeated the entire team,鈥� he said. 鈥淪econdly, our team chemistry was great.鈥�

Team unity wasn鈥檛 accidental. Wilbanks prioritized opportunities for players to bond off the field through cookouts, fishing trips, cornhole games, and other informal gatherings.

His coaching philosophy is rooted in lessons from his time at Gardner鈥慦ebb with Coach Woody Fish. Wilbanks, a former three鈥憏ear offensive line starter, said Fish instilled preparation and discipline into the team. 鈥淚 learned that a successful season doesn鈥檛 just happen in August,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t starts in January with offseason lifting and conditioning鈥� summer camp to prepare鈥� and a weekly routine once the season starts.鈥�

Darryl Brown: Resilience and Grit

Brown, head coach since 2016 of the Grimsley Whirlies in Greensboro, N.C., emphasizes resilience as the defining trait of his championship team. Early adversity threatened to derail the season when the starting quarterback was sidelined by an injury. Still, Brown watched his players rise to the moment. 鈥淲e had a group of players that were very resilient,鈥� he affirmed. 鈥淓ach week, we had different players stepping up and making plays. This entire season was a complete effort by every player and coach.鈥�

Brown noted that Gardner鈥慦ebb baseball coach Clyde Miller taught him the importance of teamwork. 鈥淓very player has a role, and whatever your role happens to be, it is extremely important to the success of the team,鈥� he said.

The lessons extended beyond the field. Brown remembers Dr. Dee Hunt as a crucial mentor who helped guide him through significant academic and personal decisions. He still cherishes the relationships he formed at Gardner鈥慦ebb, many of which continue today.

Greg Lloyd: Experience and Tradition

Greg Lloyd led Crest to its seventh state title鈥攁nd first in a decade鈥攂efore retiring in 2025. Experience was the deciding factor in his team. 鈥淲e had a lot of players back from the previous season who had played a lot,鈥� he explained. 鈥淲e played a lot of seniors this year鈥� Crest has a lot of tradition, so the players feel that, and those high expectations keep them motivated.鈥�

Lloyd, also a former baseball player under Miller, said he carried the same emphasis on relationships into his own career. 鈥淚 take pride in building relationships with my students and players鈥� and I really believe that鈥檚 why I have been successful,鈥� he said. 鈥淎 lot of that foundation came at Gardner鈥慦ebb.鈥�

Like Brown, he remembers the support of Hunt and said her mentorship helped him persist through challenges in college. 鈥淚f it wasn鈥檛 for Dr. Dee Hunt鈥攕he took a lot of time with me and helped me鈥攁nd we made it,鈥� Lloyd affirmed. 鈥淪o, I was very thankful.鈥�

A Shared Foundation

Though their teams compete in different classifications and face unique pressures, Lloyd, Wilbanks, and Brown remain connected by their Gardner鈥慦ebb roots. Their experiences reflect a common message: mentorship, perseverance, and strong relationships shape not only championship seasons but the lives of the students they lead.

Sources: High School OT and High School Football America

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