Fayette High School girls basketball coach Daryl Betts is heading back to the college game.

Coach Betts resigned on Friday, May 17, after leading the Lady Falcons to their first district championship in 19 years. He was head coach for two years, after serving as assistant coach for two seasons under previous head coach Brian Spielbauer.

Betts has accepted a job as assistant coach at Stephens College in Columbia. Before coming to Fayette, he previously served as assistant coach at Graceland University for both the men’s and women’s teams, each for two years.

Betts told the Advertiser that returning to the college level is a dream. He will continue to reside in Fayette with his family. His wife, Elizabeth, is the band director at Fayette, and his children are students in the district.

“I’m excited to be apart of Fayette while having an opportunity to fulfill my dream,” Betts said. “My family and I are very excited for this opportunity.”

The Fayette girls wrapped up their most successful season in recent history in February, advancing to their first state sectional since 2004 and finishing 21-9 overall.

“It was a great year and next year has potential to be better and the future is very bright,” Betts said.

“It’s been a great opportunity and the community is special. These young women who I have coached the past two seasons have been nothing short of incredible. They have checked so many boxes and become a respected program. I couldn’t be happier with the growth and development from top to bottom.”

Betts said he hopes to help bring the same success to the Stephens College women’s basketball program. Last season, the Stars won the regular-season AMC championship and advanced to the national tournament round of 32.

“I look to do the same things that I planned here in Fayette, to work as hard as possible to make them a top program at the NAIA level,” Betts said. “I am very enthusiastic about this opportunity that Coach Andre Bell has given me and look to make the very most of it.”

Betts leaves Fayette at a time when the girls’ team is in top form. While the Lady Falcons graduated key seniors Kay Sullivan, Addison Powell, and Maddox Wells from this year’s district championship team, they return All-State starter Oakleigh Hill, and a strong supporting cast of Kebrea Fair, Lasaydra Jackman, Melissa Inness, and Browyn Eubanks.

“It has been an amazing opportunity to work with these girls and community,” Betts said. “The accomplishments will live a lifetime in my heart. I’m so proud to have been a Falcon and had a chance to be just a little part of these students’ lives. My plans are to continue to help an a different role, as I want to see this progress continue for future Lady Falcons as well as my own children. Thank you again to all of those who helped make things special at Fayette: Coaches, Parents, Community Members, my very own wife and children. It was a blessing.”