Coach Who Cut Michael Jordan in Youth League Apologizes Years Later, MJ’s Reaction Is Unforgettable

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Coach Who Cut Michael Jordan in Youth League Apologizes Years Later—MJ’s Reaction Is Unforgettable

It was 1978 in Wilmington, North Carolina, when a 14-year-old Michael Jordan scanned the varsity basketball team list at Laney High School and discovered his name wasn’t there. That moment of disappointment would fuel one of the greatest careers in sports history, creating a legend that continues to inspire millions. But what really happened between Coach Clifton “Pop” Herring and young Michael Jordan? Was it truly a coach failing to recognize generational talent, or was there more to the story?

After more than four decades, the two men would finally come face to face to address the misunderstood moment that linked them forever in basketball. Michael Jordan’s reaction to his former coach’s explanation would prove unforgettable, revealing truths neither man had spoken aloud before. Their emotional reunion would finally bring closure to the story that began with a devastated teenager reading a team list that didn’t include his name.

The squeaking of basketball shoes echoed through the Laney High School gym in Wilmington, North Carolina. The year was 1978, and 14-year-old Michael Jordan dribbled the orange ball with laser focus. Sweat dripped down his forehead as he practiced layups, while other hopeful players shot hoops around him.

“Five minutes left, boys!” Coach Clifton “Pop” Herring called out, clipboard in hand. His voice boomed across the gym, making Michael’s heart beat faster. This was the third day of varsity basketball tryouts, and Michael wanted nothing more than to make the team. He had been practicing all summer, shooting hoops in his backyard until his mom called him in for dinner. Sometimes, he even practiced in the dark, using only the dim porch light to see the hoop.

Michael wiped sweat from his eyes and took a deep breath. At 5’10″, he was shorter than many of the other players trying out, but what he lacked in height, he made up for in determination.

“Jordan, show me what you’ve got,” Coach Herring pointed at Michael.

Michael nodded and started his drill. He dribbled quickly down the court, faked to the right, and went left. His sneakers squeaked against the polished floor as he jumped and released the ball. It arced through the air and swished through the net. A small smile crossed his face as he grabbed the rebound. He felt good about his chances.

Basketball wasn’t just a sport to Michael; it was his passion. His dream. After tryouts ended, Coach Herring gathered all 30 boys in a circle.

“Good work today, everyone,” Coach Herring said. “The final team list will be posted tomorrow morning outside my office. Get some rest, and remember, whether you make the team or not, keep working hard.”

That night, Michael could barely sleep. He tossed and turned, imagining his name on the varsity roster. He pictured himself wearing the Laney High School uniform, winning games, and making his family proud. His father, James Jordan, had taught him to love basketball.

“You got natural talent, Mike,” his dad often said. “But talent ain’t enough. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”

Michael had both talent and work ethic. Surely that would be enough.

The next morning, Michael got to school early. His stomach felt like it was tied in knots as he walked through the empty hallways toward Coach Herring’s office. A white piece of paper was taped to the door—the varsity team list. Michael took a deep breath and scanned the names. Smith, Jason Williams, Tyler Thompson, Marcus Johnson, Andre Harris, Devin Wilson, Chris Robinson, Kyle Miller, Eric Davis, Brandon Brown, Anthony Parker, James Taylor.

Daniel Michael… He blinked hard and read the list again. And then a third time. His name wasn’t there.

“No,” he whispered. “This can’t be right.” He checked one more time, running his finger down each name. There must be some mistake. But there was no mistake. Michael Jordan had been cut from the Laney High School varsity basketball team.

The hallway started to fill with other students. Michael didn’t want anyone to see the tears that threatened to spill from his eyes. He turned and walked quickly toward the bathroom, his vision blurring.

Inside a bathroom stall, Michael let the tears come. His chest felt tight, like someone was sitting on it. How could this happen? He had given everything at tryouts. He had practiced all summer. Basketball was his life.

When the first bell rang, Michael wiped his face and headed to class. Throughout the day, he heard other boys talking about making the team. Each conversation felt like a punch to his gut. After school, Michael walked toward Coach Herring’s office. He needed to know why he wasn’t good enough.

Coach Herring was sitting at his desk when Michael knocked on the open door.

“Come in, Jordan,” Coach Herring said, looking up from his paperwork.

Michael stepped inside, trying to keep his voice steady. “Coach, I saw the list. I didn’t make varsity.”

Coach Herring nodded. “That’s right. But you did make JV.”

JV. Junior varsity. The team for younger, less experienced players. Not where Michael wanted to be.

“I don’t understand,” Michael said. “I played better than some guys who made varsity.”

Coach Herring leaned back in his chair. “You’ve got talent, Jordan. No doubt about that. But you’re still growing. You need more experience. The varsity team has mostly juniors and seniors who’ve been playing together for years.”

Michael clenched his jaw. “I can keep up with them. I know I can.”

“I believe you could,” Coach Herring said. “But playing JV this year will give you more time on the court. You’ll be a starter instead of sitting on the bench. That’s what you need right now—playing time.”

Michael wanted to argue more, but he could tell Coach Herring’s mind was made up. “Yes, sir,” he said quietly. “There’s always next year.”

Jordan, use this time to grow stronger.

Michael nodded and walked out. The disappointment felt like a heavy weight on his shoulders. He had never wanted anything as badly as he wanted to make that varsity team.

At home, Michael went straight to his room, ignoring his mom’s questions about how school was. A few minutes later, there was a knock on his door.

“Michael, can I come in?” It was his mother, Dolores Jordan.

“Yeah,” he answered, his voice muffled by the pillow over his face.

His mom sat on the edge of his bed. “What’s wrong, son?”

Michael sat up, his eyes red. “I didn’t make varsity. Coach Herring put me on JV.”

Dolores put her arm around her son’s shoulders. “I’m sorry, baby. I know how much that meant to you.”

“It’s not fair, Mom. I’m better than some of those guys who made it.”

“Maybe so,” she said. “But sometimes life isn’t fair. What matters is what you do next.”

Michael wiped his nose with the back of his hand. “What do you mean?”

“You can let this defeat you, or you can use it as fuel,” she said. “The greatest people in history faced rejection and failure. It’s what they did afterward that made them great.”

Michael thought about this. “So, what should I do?”

His mother smiled. “Show them they made a mistake. Work harder. Get better. Prove to yourself and everyone else what you’re capable of.”

Something sparked inside Michael—a fire that would grow to become legendary. He nodded slowly. “I will, Mom. I promise.”

That night, Michael wrote something on a small piece of paper and taped it to his wall, right above his bed where he would see it every morning when he woke up. It read: “Cut from Varsity.” These three words would drive him like nothing else. The pain of rejection would fuel a determination unlike any other.

The following months were a blur of hard work, practice, and personal growth. By the time his sophomore year ended, Michael had grown to 6 feet tall, and the coach who had cut him was soon forced to admit his mistake. Michael’s star rose, and the world would soon know him as the greatest basketball player to ever live.

However, what Michael didn’t know yet was that this moment of being cut would come full circle decades later when he would finally meet Coach Clifton “Pop” Herring again. A reunion that neither of them could have predicted.

The two men would finally come face to face, and in that moment, the full truth would be revealed.