University of Tennessee Athletics
Photo by: Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
Gainey Named to ABIS Black Coaches Watchlist
March 19, 2025 | Men's Basketball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – University of Tennessee associate head men's basketball coach Justin Gainey is on the Advancement of Blacks in Sports (ABIS) Black Coaches Watchlist, as announced Wednesday morning.
Gainey is one of 20 selections to the men's basketball assistant coaches group, six of whom are in the SEC.
The list include collegiate and professional sports top Black men and women head and assistant coaches from across the country in multiple sports. This year's selections are recognized by their peers as some of the best in the business. Those nominated are considered the year's most deserving, qualified and prepared Black coaches in college and professional sports to elevate their careers to the next level.
The ABIS Black Coaches Watchlist is shared annually with athletic administrators and executive search firms in an effort to highlight their contributions as the hiring cycle begins for different sports.
Gainey is in his fourth season at Tennessee, including his third as associated head coach. The Volunteers are 106-35 (.752) during his tenure and have been ranked in the AP top 25 the entire time.
For the last three seasons, Gainey has led the charge for the vaunted Tennessee defense. In 2022-23, the Volunteers finished first in KenPom adjusted defensive efficiency (87.5), then placed third in 2023-24 (90.2). They are again third nationally this season (89.1).
This is Gainey's 19th season working at the Division I level , including his 13th at the Power Six level. He has previously spent time at NC State (2006-09), Elon (2009-10), Appalachian State (2010-14), Marquette (2014-17; 2020-21), Santa Clara (2017-18) and Arizona (2018-20).
A two-time graduate of NC State, Gainey earned a bachelor's degree in business administration, with a concentration in marking, in 2000 and a master's degree in sport administration in 2006. He played point guard for the Wolfpack from 1996-2000, finishing his career fourth in steals (190) and ninth in assists (344) on the program's all-time leaderboard.
Gainey and sixth-ranked, second-seeded Tennessee (27-7, 12-6 SEC) start NCAA Tournament action Thursday at 6:50 p.m. against No. 15-seeded Wofford at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky., live on TNT.
To keep up with the University of Tennessee men's basketball team on social media, follow @Vol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /tennesseebasketball on Facebook.
Gainey is one of 20 selections to the men's basketball assistant coaches group, six of whom are in the SEC.
The list include collegiate and professional sports top Black men and women head and assistant coaches from across the country in multiple sports. This year's selections are recognized by their peers as some of the best in the business. Those nominated are considered the year's most deserving, qualified and prepared Black coaches in college and professional sports to elevate their careers to the next level.
The ABIS Black Coaches Watchlist is shared annually with athletic administrators and executive search firms in an effort to highlight their contributions as the hiring cycle begins for different sports.
Gainey is in his fourth season at Tennessee, including his third as associated head coach. The Volunteers are 106-35 (.752) during his tenure and have been ranked in the AP top 25 the entire time.
For the last three seasons, Gainey has led the charge for the vaunted Tennessee defense. In 2022-23, the Volunteers finished first in KenPom adjusted defensive efficiency (87.5), then placed third in 2023-24 (90.2). They are again third nationally this season (89.1).
This is Gainey's 19th season working at the Division I level , including his 13th at the Power Six level. He has previously spent time at NC State (2006-09), Elon (2009-10), Appalachian State (2010-14), Marquette (2014-17; 2020-21), Santa Clara (2017-18) and Arizona (2018-20).
A two-time graduate of NC State, Gainey earned a bachelor's degree in business administration, with a concentration in marking, in 2000 and a master's degree in sport administration in 2006. He played point guard for the Wolfpack from 1996-2000, finishing his career fourth in steals (190) and ninth in assists (344) on the program's all-time leaderboard.
Gainey and sixth-ranked, second-seeded Tennessee (27-7, 12-6 SEC) start NCAA Tournament action Thursday at 6:50 p.m. against No. 15-seeded Wofford at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky., live on TNT.
To keep up with the University of Tennessee men's basketball team on social media, follow @Vol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /tennesseebasketball on Facebook.
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