Once again, a seed from the William Byrd basketball tree has been picked to grow the team. Former Byrd standout Josh Cunningham has been named the new coach of the Terrier team.

Cunningham is the third of the last four Byrd coaches to have played for the Terriers. The 2007 William Byrd graduate follows alum Kevin Tuck, who resigned after the past season. David Culicerto, who didn’t play for Byrd but was a longtime assistant, preceded Tuck and his predecessor was another former Byrd player, Paul Barnard.

Cunningham comes from Roanoke Catholic, where he had a successful three year run as head coach after serving as an assistant to former Celtics coach Leon Caldwell. Cunningham played for Culicerto at Byrd and went on to play college ball at Emory & Henry.

“I’m pleased coach Cunningham is returning to William Byrd,” said WBHS principal Tammy Newcomb.  “Coach Cunningham will be an excellent addition to the Terrier nation and I’m confident he will continue the tradition of excellence we have at William Byrd.”

Cunningham inherits a team that was 17-10 and made the Region 4A West tournament last season. That team had eight seniors and will also lose standout forward Alex Fitch, whose family is moving to Northern Virginia.

Cunningham will meet with the players after this week’s spring break. Assistants have yet to be announced.