Coach Who Cut Michael Jordan in Youth League Apologizes Years Later, MJ’s Reaction Is Unforgettable
In 1978, a young Michael Jordan was cut from the varsity basketball team at Laney High School in Wilmington, North Carolina. At 14 years old, he faced one of the first significant disappointments of his life. The decision made by his coach, Clifton “Pop” Herring, became part of Jordan’s origin story—a moment of rejection that would go on to shape one of the greatest basketball careers in history. However, what many people didn’t know was the complexity of that decision and the years of reflection that followed it.
Coach Herring, who at the time believed that Jordan was too young and needed more experience, had placed him on the junior varsity team instead of the varsity squad. While this was a difficult moment for Michael, who was devastated at the time, it ultimately fueled his determination to become a better player, eventually leading him to greatness. What the world didn’t know was that Coach Herring, too, had a lasting effect from the decision he made. As time went on, the legend of Michael Jordan grew, and the story of the coach who “cut” him took on a life of its own—becoming part of sports lore.
Years passed, and Michael’s career soared to unimaginable heights, with six NBA championships, five MVP awards, and a place in the hearts of basketball fans around the world. Meanwhile, Coach Herring’s life took a much different turn. He struggled with his mental health, eventually being diagnosed with schizophrenia. As the years went by, his ability to coach and maintain relationships was impacted, and he retreated from the spotlight. His connection to Jordan, though, remained in the back of his mind, and he couldn’t help but wonder if Michael ever harbored any resentment for being placed on junior varsity all those years ago.
In 2019, a young reporter named Jason Mitchell wrote an article about Coach Herring, shedding light on the true nature of the decision to place Michael on the junior varsity team. Mitchell’s article emphasized that Coach Herring hadn’t “cut” Michael Jordan; instead, he had placed him on JV with the intent to give him more playing time and the opportunity to develop his skills. Coach Herring had seen Michael’s potential, but he knew that being a benchwarmer on the varsity team wouldn’t help him grow as a player.
When Michael read the article, something changed inside him. For decades, he had used the story of being cut from varsity as fuel for his relentless work ethic and drive. But after reading the article, he realized that the story was more complicated than he had ever imagined. Michael realized that Coach Herring hadn’t doubted him—he had only wanted what was best for his development.
Michael reached out to his assistant and arranged to meet Coach Herring in person. After all these years, the two men who had shared such a pivotal moment in basketball history were about to come face to face. The meeting would bring closure to a story that had shaped both their lives, but neither man knew just how emotional it would be.
In May 2023, Michael Jordan arrived at the assisted living facility in Wilmington, where Coach Herring had been living for years. As Michael walked into the facility, he was struck by how much Coach Herring had changed physically. The man who had once been the booming coach with authority now looked frail, his health affected by schizophrenia and age. Despite this, his eyes still held the fire of the coach who had once seen the potential in a young, struggling player.
Coach Herring, despite his declining health, greeted Michael with warmth. The two men sat together, and for the first time in decades, they began to discuss the decision that had shaped their lives. Michael explained how he had used being cut from varsity as motivation throughout his career, but now he understood the real reason behind Coach Herring’s decision. Coach Herring, too, explained that he had never doubted Michael’s talent, and that placing him on JV had been the best decision for his development. Michael listened intently, and as they spoke, the weight of the past lifted.
The conversation became more than just an apology—it was an understanding between two men who had been shaped by basketball, by their challenges, and by their mistakes. Coach Herring apologized for the misunderstanding that had haunted him for years, and Michael expressed his gratitude for everything Herring had done for him, both on and off the court.
In that moment, Michael realized that Coach Herring had given him a gift far greater than basketball skills. He had given him the strength to overcome obstacles, to fight back against rejection, and to rise above. Michael, now the greatest basketball player in the world, had finally forgiven his former coach—not for the decision itself, but for the years of self-doubt and guilt that had followed him both as a player and a coach.
The emotional reunion between Michael and Coach Herring was a reminder that sometimes, the greatest lessons in life come not from the wins and accolades, but from the moments of struggle and misunderstanding. Michael Jordan, a man who had turned rejection into a legendary career, now understood that not every decision that seemed like an obstacle was meant to hold him back. Some were meant to push him forward.
As they parted ways, Michael made a vow to himself to continue pushing boundaries, to continue proving that nothing—no setback, no doubt—could stop him from reaching his full potential. Coach Herring, meanwhile, found peace knowing that Michael understood his decision and had become the player and man he had always believed he could be.
This reunion wasn’t just about closure for two men who had once been coach and player—it was a reminder that even in the world of sports, the greatest victories come from understanding and redemption.
