Matthew VanTryon

matthew.vantryon@indystar.com

Damon Bailey, an Indiana basketball icon both at the high school and college level, has resigned as Butler women's basketball assistant coach after three seasons. Bailey is leaving coaching to focus on Hawkins Bailey Warehouse distribution company, a business located in Bedford where he serves as co-owner.

Bailey declined comment to IndyStar.

Bailey and Butler head coach Kurt Godlevske played together for one season at Bedford North Lawrence. Bailey led the Stars to deep state tournament runs in each of his four years, culminating with a state title in his final season in 1990. He scored the final 11 points in the team’s win over Concord.

"Damon is a childhood friend and a best friend," Godlevske said in a news release. "We were closing in on coaching together for a decade, so not having him around to strategize for our next game or just to talk basketball is a tough thing for me personally. He made a sacrifice to come to Butler for me, to help lay the foundation for what we now have. I owe him a tremendous amount of gratitude, and I'm thankful for his time here at Butler. I can only imagine how difficult juggling two time-demanding professions must have been."

He scored a state-record 3,134 points in high school, was named to the All-State team four times, won IndyStar Mr. Basketball and earned All-American honors as a senior.

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Bailey played at Indiana under Bob Knight for four seasons and was drafted by the Indiana Pacers in 1994, but his career faded quickly due to injuries.

He briefly coached Bedford North Lawrence's boys basketball program (in 2005-2006), and returned to his alma mater in 2012, joining Godlevske on the BNL's girls basketball coaching staff, leading the team to a state title. When Godlesvke departed for Butler, Bailey assumed head coaching duties and led the program to another state title during the 2013-2014 seasons. He joined Butler’s coaching staff in 2014.

Bailey's daughter, Alexa, just finished her sophomore season at Butler and started 26 games for the Bulldogs this past season.

The Butler women’s program went 30-62 in Bailey’s three seasons on staff.

Follow IndyStar sports reporter Matthew VanTryon on Twitter at @MVanTryon.

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