SUMMIT — Southwest Mississippi Community College has hired Coach Thomas Gray as the new SMCC Men’s Head Basketball coach. The SMCC Board of Trustees approved President Steve Bishop’s recommendation on Tuesday, June 10 at its monthly meeting.

Mr. Gray will start July 1. Gray is currently an assistant basketball coach for the men’s program at the University of Tennessee at Martin.

Gray also holds a master’s degree in business administration. A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Gray grew up in Columbia and was previously the assistant men’s basketball coach for the SMCC Bears.

Dr. Steve Bishop, President, said “We are excited about having Coach Thomas Gray as our head men’s basketball coach. Coach Gray has outstanding credentials, as well as, first-hand knowledge of our league. I expect Coach Gray to lead our program, both on and off the court, in such a way that our college and fans will be proud.”

SMCC director of athletics Dr. Bill Ashley said “We had 38 official applicants from 13 states for this job and I was impressed with the people who showed interest in the Men’s Head Basketball Job.

However, Coach Gray brings enthusiasm, determination, caring, and intimate knowledge of the college to the job. He will be the third NJCAA Division I sport head coach at SMCC (Football, Men’s Basketball, and Women’s Basketball) that was a former NCAA Division I-A assistant coach.

The MACJC has become ultra-competitive for student-athletes and for excellent coaching talent who has the skill-set for recruiting just like the NCAA division I-A programs require. We wanted to build on our prior success as we have been in the NJCAA Region 23 and MACJC State Tournaments the past two years.”