Meet Coach Harden

Justin Harden is the head coach of the boys basketball program at The Rock School in Gainesville, Florida. He has been the head coach for one year although he has had his hand in the emergence of the program over the past 5 years. Harden spent four years as an assistant coach on the staff of former TRS boys basketball coach Svend Wilbekin. And from 2006-2008 he served as the head coach of the girls program, leading the Lady Lions to their first championship and state playoff berth in 2007.

Harden has been a key figure in the growth of the basketball programs as he has spent many hours constructing training programs and leading individual and group instruction. He has helped over 15 student-athletes fulfill their dream of becoming collegiate student-athletes. Harden has placed both an emphasis on weight (strength) training and individual skill improvement that has aided the evolution of many players in both the girls and boys programs.

Harden believes that basketball is a game that can help mature boys into young men and girls into young women. He also believes that in all things that pertain to basketball, giving God the glory must be the first and most important goal. His desire to help lead young men and women to that understanding is why he has participated as a coach at the varsity, junior high, and AAU levels.

He and his wife, Dayna, have a beautiful son, Jaxon. Dayna is the first grade teacher at The Rock School.