1st Quarter
I recently had the chance to visit with the individual who gave me my first full-time coaching opportunity. David “Smokey” Gaines was one of the first African American Division 1 coaches, a Hall of Fame Harlem Globetrotter, and Dick Vitale’s top assistant at the University of Detroit. As a bright-eyed coaching prospect, I thought starting under Gaines would allow me to learn the business from a legend.
That gig wasn’t at a high profile Division 1 job or D2 job. My first Job was at Gaines’ alma-mater, Lemoyne-Owen College, a small HBCU in the heart of South Memphis TN. The school is where another legend, Jerry Johnson, made his name. Yes, the same Jerry Johnson that worked with John Mclendon. In case you’re wondering, that is the same John Mclendon that worked for James Naismith. Looking back, as a young black assistant coach, who else did I need to learn the business from?
I played for 6-time MEAC Tournament Champion Coach Cy Alexander at South Carolina State and went on to work for him at Tennessee State University. I was a part of championship teams under Alexander and played in the NCAA tournament. I couldn’t believe that I got my grad-assistant experience under Alexander and now I was about to be tutored by an Icon in Gaines. What a start…