TIFTON — Tommy Blackshear returned to Tift County High boys basketball in 2020. Now, the coaching legend is stepping down again after 40 years of coaching.

“I just recognized that if I’m ever going to have a chance to do a few things I want to do before I die, I need to hurry up,” Blackshear said.

On Blackshear’s retirement agenda is getting to spend plenty of time with his grandchildren. Some rounds of golf are also in his future. “After 40 years, I felt it was time to do something else,” he said.

In his second stint with the team, he went 80-51, winning region and reaching the elite eight in 2021. He had come back because this is home. “When I first left, I always felt like I should have a chance to retire back at Tifton.” It took 15 years before his career could come full circle, but it did.

“Coming back for the last five years has put a conclusion to my coaching career,” he said. “Now I can retire from the school I helped build.”

The first run had its roots in 1985 when he arrived as an assistant to Emmett Bowers. That year was magic for the Blue Devils, with Bowers, Blackshear and fellow assistant Johnny Spurlin guiding Tift to the Region 1-4A championship. Tift followed that title with another in 1987, and a final four appearance.

Blackshear took over as Tift head coach in 1988. The first region title came in 1991, along with a final four. That’s when the TCHS’ run really began.

The state tournament streak began in 1994 — they have only missed once since 1991 — with the elusive state title finally happening in 1996. Blackshear’s crew went 29-1 that season, drubbing Beach in the 4A championship 69-40.

Over his two coaching stints at Tift, the Devils have won one state title, reached the semifinals twice and made two more appearances in the elite eight. He’s not sure of his overall won-loss record, but figures he has 500-600 wins.

The state tournament streak is the longest in modern GHSA history and tied for second-longest overall with Lanier (Macon). Savannah High played in state from 1925-65, but many of their appearances were when the top classification was much smaller.

Before returning to Tifton, Blackshear spent time at neighboring Cook High, with a few years coaching both boys and girls basketball teams. The Lady Hornets won one region title under his guidance.

Through most of his seasons, Blackshear has worked with Spurlin (who made the semis himself in 2007). Spurlin had for many years concentrated on his legal career before Blackshear got him to return as an assistant.

“I love him,” said Blackshear. “He is definitely one of the main reasons that I loved being back home! He is an outstanding coach and a wonderful friend. Johnny made this second time around the best ever.”

Though he worked with Spurlin the longest, he is very close to all of the current staff. “They are all former Blue Devils and they embraced the tradition and worked hard every day for our program. I love my staff.”

Tift finished No. 2 in Region 1-6A in the regular season in 2024-25, ensuring their 32nd consecutive state tournament appearance. Leading scorer J.J. Lamar is set to graduate, but plenty of talent is expected to return, including the big men in the middle, Cordell Nelson and Kaden Lawson. Nelson, only a sophomore, was 1-6A’s Co-Defensive Player of the Year.

“Hopefully, the kids keep developing and working on their game,” Blackshear said. He’d love for them to reclaim the region championship.

Through his efforts, and the coaches who have come after him, Tift is the most feared large school boys basketball team in southern Georgia. Since 1995, every state championship in the GHSA’s largest boys classification has come from Metro Atlanta, except for four years. Three of those titles are Tift County’s.

Blackshear had some advice for players of the present and future donning Blue Devils uniforms.

“To be a Blue Devil basketball player is very difficult. It requires a lot of focus and determination. I would like to encourage the guys to continue to embrace the tradition we have built and allow that to make you work harder to keep it going. You get to feeling the pressure in Tift County because when you’re playing Tift, you’re either playing to stay in first place or playing to get in first place. [Tift] is a very stressful program to play for because of the tradition, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”