University of Tennessee men’s basketball associate head coach Justin Gainey attended the recent 2024 Southeastern Conference Coaches Opportunity Forum.
The program focused on professional development, mentorship and networking opportunities for selected assistant coaches across various sports from each of the league’s institutions. Tennessee women’s basketball assistant coach Roman Tubner also went to the conference.
The forum aimed to empower coaches with the knowledge and skills necessary to ascend to head coaching positions in their respective sports. The two-day event held in Atlanta featured a comprehensive lineup of panels and sessions aimed at providing guidance on navigating the coaching landscape. The assistant coaches were selected by their respective schools to attend.
The SEC Coaches Opportunity Forum aligns with SEC Bylaw 23, adopted in 2021 to promote inclusion in athletics leadership, encouraging member institutions to attract, hire and retain individuals from historically underrepresented groups in key roles. The coaches’ meeting is in partnership with the SEC Opportunity Forum, a program set for rising athletics administrators now entering its third year.
Attendees gained valuable insights from invited speakers that included:
· Nick Saban, ESPN analyst and former head football coach
· Dawn Staley, University of South Carolina women’s basketball head coach
· Dennis Gates, University of Missouri men’s basketball head coach
· Josh Brooks, University of Georgia J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics
· Greg Byrne, University of Alabama director of athletics
· Elle Duncan, ESPN SportsCenter anchor
· Greg Sankey, SEC commissioner
· Parker Executive Search team
The 2024 SEC Coaches Opportunity Forum attendees included:
· Amelia Hundley, University of Alabama, Gymnastics
· Pauline Love, University of Alabama, Women’s Basketball
· Sammy Scofield, University of Arkansas, Soccer
· Ira Bowman, Auburn University, Men’s Basketball
· Damitria Buchanan, Auburn University, Women’s Basketball
· Jabbar Juluke, University of Florida, Football
· Antonio Reynolds Dean, University of Georgia, Men’s Basketball
· Isoken Uzamere, University of Georgia, Women’s Basketball
· Blair Bergmann, University of Kentucky, STUNT
· Debbie Ferguson McKenzie, University of Kentucky, Track and Field
· Tamara Ards, Louisiana State University, Track and Field
· Bree Bennett, University of Mississippi, Track and Field
· Dempsey McGuigan, University of Mississippi, Track and Field
· April Thomas, Mississippi State University, Track and Field
· Anthony Tucker, Mississippi State University, Football
· Rob Summers, University of Missouri, Men’s Basketball
· Arielle Wilson, University of Missouri, Volleyball
· Austin Davis, University of Oklahoma, Track and Field
· Ryan Humphrey, University of Oklahoma, Men’s Basketball
· Winston Gandy, University of South Carolina, Women’s Basketball
· Eddie Shannon, University of South Carolina, Men’s Basketball
· Clayton White, University of South Carolina, Football
· Justin Gainey, University of Tennessee, Men’s Basketball
· Roman Tubner, University of Tennessee, Women’s Basketball
· Mitch Dalton, University of Texas, Women’s Swimming and Diving
· Abby O’Mara, Texas A&M University, Equestrian
· Alex Bailey, Vanderbilt University, Football
· Jill Kendall, Vanderbilt University, Lacrosse
Gainey is entering his fourth year on the Tennessee coaching staff, including his third as the associate head coach. The High Point, N.C., native is headed into his 19th season on a Division I staff, including his 13th at the Power Five level and 13th as a coach.
A native of High Point, N.C., Gainey played point guard at North Carolina State University and graduated in 2000 with a degree in marketing. He added a master’s degree in sport management in 2006, also from NC State.
