Whitey Durham
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| Whitey Durham | |||||
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| Portrayed by | Barry Corbin | ||||
| First appearance | Pilot (episode 1.01) |
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| Created by | Mark Schwahn | ||||
| Profile | |||||
| Nickname(s) | Whitey | ||||
| Age | 68 | ||||
| Occupation | Coach | ||||
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Brian "Whitey" Durham is a fictional character on the CW television series One Tree Hill, played by Barry Corbin. He is formerly the Tree Hill Ravens' basketball coach and a father figure to most of the players on the team, especially Lucas Scott, Nathan Scott and Jake Jagielski.
| “ | The important thing is not to be bitter over life's disappointments. | ” |
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— Whitey Durham
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[edit] Fictional character biography
Brian Durham coached the Ravens for many years and played basketball himself when he was younger. The nickname 'Whitey' comes from a game with the all black team 'The Monarchs', when, after deciding to mix the teams, the captain of one group said "I'll take Whitey", as Brian was the last white player left to be picked. His wife Camilla died on the operation table, leaving him with no children. He has since considered the Ravens team as more or less his children. There is one exception: Whitey has a long-standing feud with Dan Scott, who was once Whitey's star player. This feud started when, after an argument with Whitey, Dan sat down and refused to play during a State Championship, which the Ravens subsequently lost. Whitey is a very good friend of Dan's older brother Keith, also a former player of his. He has a close friendship with Karen Roe, Dan's ex and Lucas's mother.
[edit] Season 1
Following the suspension of six varsity players from the Ravens' basketball team due to a case of drunk driving, Whitey allows Lucas Scott a spot in his line-up when Keith shows Whitey his nephew playing at River court. This causes conflict between Whitey's team members, as Lucas' half-brother Nathan and the other players (minus Jake) don't want Lucas on the team. Lucas and Nathan eventually learn to work together under Whitey's supervision and this year the team never lose a game, until Whitey has to have an operation because of an eye condition and temporarily leaves the team. Dan replaces him and chooses to let an injured Lucas play which leads to the Ravens losing the game. Nevertheless, Whitey tells Lucas that he is proud of the team.
[edit] Season 2
Although the basketball season is over, Whitey continues to keep an eye on his players, for instance helping Jake get his daughter Jenny away from her mother Nikki. He is also helped by some, as Lucas convinces him to have the operation he needs to save his life. He is the one to comfort Karen when Keith disappears.
[edit] Season 3
Whitey tries to patch things up between Nathan and his estranged wife Haley by putting them in detention together. He also punishes his players for a largely disappointing start to the season by making them play in an abandoned court, thinking they are no longer worthy of the former one. Dan attempts to have Whitey removed from his position as coach, but Karen comes to Whitey's defense and in return Whitey supports her in running against Dan for mayor, although Dan ultimately wins the election. Whitey helps Lucas and Karen with their grief after Keith's death.
[edit] Season 4
Whitey welcomes Skills Taylor onto the team after Lucas plays the same trick Keith played to get Lucas on the team. The Ravens finally win the State Championship, but the victory is bitter as both Haley and Lucas end up in hospital afterwards due to loan shark Daunte, who was forcing Nathan to shave points. When the truth comes out about the point-shaving, Lucas initially takes the blame and a furious Whitey tells him that Keith would be ashamed of him. Whitey eventually realizes that Lucas is covering for his brother and is very angry and disappointed in Nathan, but stands by him after Nathan's public confession. In trying to help Nathan find a college, Whitey accepts a job as a collegiate coach so that Nathan can be a member of his team.
[edit] Season 5
Whitey retired from coaching after just one year and a State Championship, feeling that Lucas was ready to take over. Just before he left, he advised Nathan to not let his temper be his demise.[1] His whereabouts since are unknown.
[edit] Name origin
The town of Tree Hill is set in Wilmington, North Carolina. Wilmington High (now New Hanover High School) historically had one of the most successful high school basketball programs in North Carolina history. It has amassed a total of 12 state championships, second only to Durham High School. The character is ironically named after this former rival school.[2]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ One Tree Hill Episode 5.05 "I Forgot to Remember to Forget"
- ^ nchsaa.org
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