Hutchinson, KS – – Legendary coaches have left their footprint on the sidelines of the Hutchinson Sports Arena for decades. The likes of Gene Bess, Dan Sparks, and Cotton Fitszimmons are forever lodged in the record books. But it's a new wave of coaches that may be setting a standard in Hutch.
"I've always had a dream of being a men's basketball coach," stated Arryonia Davis-Grey, Moberly Area's (MO) female student assistant coach. "It's a really unique opportunity," added Georgia Grimes, also a female student assistant coach with Eastern Florida State. "The idea of women coaching men makes so much sense to me, even if it doesn't make sense to the rest of the world."
Davis-Grey and Grimes found themselves on the sidelines at the 2019 NJCAA DI Men's Basketball Championship after their respective teams earned berths to 'The Tournament'. With detailed shot charts in hand and a voice in the huddle, Davis-Grey and Grimes serve as valuable assets to two of the top men's basketball coaching staffs in the nation.
Davis-Grey earned a spot next to legendary head coach Pat Smith, a 2019 NJCAA Men's Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee, after two years as a manager. "Watching the way coach Smith coaches gave me a drive to want to learn more so, I bought into it more and more, and finally he asked me to be his student assistant. It's the best thing that's ever happened to me"
Moberly Area, a 14-seed at this year's tournament was eliminated in the second round on Wednesday night, but the run the Greyhounds made in the 2018-19 season left an impact on Davis-Grey and what it means to coach at the collegiate level. "I love the way college students have the drive to win and get better. Each individual student has their own story and I love that. This team has their own story and it made me want to be a coach more and more."
Grimes' path to the coaching box began well before enrolling at Eastern Florida State. A Melbourne, FL native, Grimes' father served as an assistant coach for the Titans under current head coach Jeremy Shulman. "I grew up at Eastern Florida and grew up around basketball. I just knew I always wanted to coach."
With a basketball-oriented upbringing, Grimes spent her early years developing a playing career, but coaching was always a top priority. "When I was younger my dad trained me to be a coach. I grew up watching coaching clinic videos and watching Michael Jordan documentaries. I did pursue my playing career, but I always knew long term I wanted to get into coaching."
"I was never set on coaching men's basketball, I just knew I wanted to coach, but when coach Shulman approached me and offered me a coaching job, immediately I said yes."
Like Davis-Grey, Grimes' postseason run as a student assistant fell short as the Titans were upended in the quarterfinal round of the tournament, an 82-74 defeat to defending national champions South Plains (TX).
Despite the loss, the history at Hutch continues to grow for the Titans with their third consecutive quarterfinal appearance in 2019, but Grimes' first appearance at 'The Tournament' made a lasting impact. "Once we got here, it really set in and especially walking into the gym, I thought, this a pretty big deal."
At just 19 years old, Grimes will receive a bachelor's degree in sport management in May with aspirations of a graduate assistant position for a men's basketball program on the horizon.
Davis-Grey, who graduates in May intends to pursue a four-year degree in the field of physical therapy. Not only does Davis-Grey work alongside a Hall of Fame coach, but within one of the most storied NJCAA programs of all time. Moberly Area ranks second all-time with 28 tournament appearances, including the 2019 campaign. Despite the history involved with the program, Davis-Grey has left her own mark on the junior college coaching ranks. "I'd like to give a special thanks to my parents, especially my dad Leo Grey. I want to thank Pat Smith, Andre Bell, and the entire coaching staff for helping me get to where I am and who I have become."
Both student assistants understand the struggles of breaking into the coaching industry as females in a male-dominated profession, but both have words of wisdom for those who have the same goals.
"You have to go with your heart," Davis-Grey exclaimed. "If you go about by being scared, you'll never get to be where you want to be." Grimes echoed Davis-Grey's mentality. "Don't be afraid to be the first. I think being the first is so impactful."