State-championship winning coach stepping down from Midlands basketball program
Ben Lee, the only boys basketball coach in River Bluff history, is stepping down after 13 seasons.
Lee told The State on Monday that a combination of factors led to his resignation including spending more time with his family and two daughters, the older of whom is a junior at River Bluff.
Lee will remain at River Bluff as a teacher.
“I try to teach at a really high level and coach at a really high level, and you feel like you are burning the candle at both ends,” Lee said in a phone interview. “Generally what happens is family gets less and less time. Just need a change and just needed something different.”
The 45-year-old Lee didn’t rule out a return to coaching at some point, but his family will take top priority now with him away from the hardwood.
Lee was hired as the school’s first coach when it opened in 2012. The Lexington High grad won more than 160 games during his tenure and led the Gators to the 2021 Class 5A championship when they knocked off powerhouse Dorman behind Myles Jenkins’ 31 points. Dorman was going for its fifth straight title and entered the title game with an 18-game winning streak.
In addition to the state championship, Lee said other highlights were being able to pour into his River Bluff players and building the relationships.
“My most cherished elements would be all the guys,” Lee said, fighting back tears. “That is why I always liked doing it. The relationship with kids. That is what it is all about: Turning young men into men. It has been awesome.”
Before River Bluff, Lee played collegiately at Montreat in North Carolina and was an assistant coach under Bailey Harris at his alma mater, Lexington.
River Bluff athletic director Andrew Peckham said he hopes to have Lee’s replacement in place by early to mid-March.
River Bluff is the second coaching vacancy in the area. Gilbert also is looking for a new basketball coach .
This story was originally published February 16, 2026 at 1:37 PM.
