South High School Has Opened Coaching Position

Worcester Public Schools will not retain Diago McClain for the upcoming girls' basketball season.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Basketball

South High School Has Opened Coaching Position

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Worcester Public Schools has declared the South High girls' basketball coaching position vacant. The district will not retain Diago McClain for the 2026-27 season after his five-year tenure leading the program.

Why it matters

The change follows a period of high performance for the South High team, which reached Division 2 state finals in both 2024 and 2025 before moving to Division 1 for the 2025-26 season.

Coach Diago McClain departs the South High program with a career record of 103-14 over five seasons. The team recently transitioned from Division 2, where they appeared in two state finals, to Division 1 competition.

The players

Diago McClain

He served as the head coach for the South High girls' basketball team for five seasons.

Jim Oxford

He is a veteran coach who recorded 356 wins during his 19-season career at Wachusett Regional.

Tom Gibbons

He is an experienced coach with 27 years in the field who will serve as interim coach for the Wachusett girls' team.

The details

Worcester Public Schools maintains a policy of posting coaching positions on a year-to-year basis. The announcement coincides with coaching changes at neighboring districts, including the departure of long-time coach Jim Oxford at Wachusett Regional.

Diago McClain led the South High program for five seasons starting in 2021-22.
A Worcester school official announced the coaching vacancy on October 13, 2026.
The upcoming 2026-27 season will feature new leadership for the South High girls' basketball team.

Season Trajectory

The coaching vacancy at South High shifts the competitive landscape for the upcoming season after the team's move to Division 1. This change impacts the program's continuity as it seeks to maintain the momentum established during its recent state tournament runs.

The transition creates an immediate opening for a new head coach to lead a roster that recently competed in consecutive state finals. The appointment will determine the tactical direction for the program as it continues its tenure in Division 1.

The takeaway

Maintaining stability in leadership is often a challenge for high school programs even after periods of sustained success. Prospective coaches and program stakeholders should monitor the district's public postings for updates on the hiring timeline.