The departure of a successful coach usually takes some time for adjustment.

Tolleson High’s girls basketball players had to be surprised by the announcement that Todd Nelson is leaving to become an assistant principal at Phoenix Sunnyslope, according to a report by The Arizona Republic’s Richard Obert.

Nelson helped the Lady Wolverines win four Class 5A Division II championships in five seasons, in 2007 and three in a row from 2009-2111.

To be sure, Tolleson had a lot of talent and its players should take the lion’s share of the credit. But Nelson, with his pointed, tell-it-like-it-is approach, got more success out of them than they would have dreamed. The players might not always have liked what he had to say, but most of the time, he was right.

Now it’s on to Sunnyslope, and whether Nelson surfaces as a coach there or elsewhere remains to be seen.

If that moment comes, the new team will be getting an excellent coach.

As for the Tolleson players coming back, don’t forget what Coach Nelson taught you. Continue to work hard and that will carry you a long way.