By Natalie Dillon

ndillon@

themonroetimes.com

MONROE — After a three-year hiatus from coaching high school girls basketball, Mike Flanagan returns to the court — and this time in Darlington.

“It seemed like a natural move,” Flanagan said. “It’s a way to get more immersed in the district and community. I’m excited to add another layer to being a Redbird.”

Flanagan, an Argyle native, accepted a position as the Darlington Elementary/Middle School principal in May 2022. Prior to Darlington, Flanagan spent 15 years coaching at Black Hawk. There, he led the Warriors to seven state berths, two runner-up finishes and one gold ball while compiling a 309-71 record. 

But Flanagan wants to forge a different legacy while at Darlington — one that isn’t attached to his prior success.

“This is about Darlington girls basketball,” he said. “It’s not about the past and what I’ve done elsewhere. It’s about this team and their future.”

Flanagan takes over for Brad Solberg, who is also a head coach of the Darlington baseball team. In 2023-24, Darlington girls basketball finished third in the SWAL with a 9-5 record. The Redbirds advanced to a WIAA Division 4 regional final game against Mineral Point, losing 50-41. 

In other prep sports coaching changes, Black Hawk girls basketball welcomes 2019 Darlington-graduate Kaylee Meyers as head coach. As a Redbird, Meyers scored 608 career points and was a two-time first-team all-conference selection, including Player of the Year in 2017-2018. She originally committed to UW-Parkside but transferred to UW-Platteville, playing two seasons. She averaged 9.3 minutes with 4.8 ppg.