University of Tampa head men’s basketball coach Linc Darner has announced the addition of Dexter Gooding to his staff as an assistant coach.
“I am extremely excited to have Dexter join our program at UT,” says Darner. “I got to know him working together at High Point over the past year. He has an outstanding basketball mind and did a great job developing players and cultivating great relationships with student-athletes. He is a very passionate coach who has had the opportunity not only to play for but work for some of the best coaches in the game in Tubby Smith, Brian Gregory, G.G. Smith and Scott Cherry. He will provide a huge boost in recruiting after playing in the state, along with the great contacts and resources he developed throughout a highly successful playing career.”
Gooding previously served on the coaching staff at his alma mater, returning to High Point University as the Director of Player Development for Men’s Basketball in August of 2021. He held the position through the 2022-23 season
Prior to High Point, he served two years as a graduate assistant coach at the University of South Florida, under head coach Brian Gregory. While at the University of South Florida, Gooding had an instrumental role in the development of AAC All-League players: Alexis Yetna, David Collins, Laquincy Rideau, and Caleb Murphy.
Prior to his role as a graduate assistant, Gooding spent four seasons playing for High Point from 2015-19. While at HPU, he was a part of the 2015-2016 Big South Regular Season Championship team that also made a NIT appearance the same season. Across his playing career, Gooding accumulated numerous accolades, including two-time National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Academic All-American and was named to the Big South Presidential Honor Roll four times.
Gooding is also a very highly regarded skills trainer for professional basketball players, with many of his players competing across multiple high-level leagues that include, but aren’t limited to, the NBA, Euro League, CBA, and NBL.
Gooding graduated High Point University in 2019, earning his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration of Entrepreneurship. In 2021, he earned his master’s degree in Global Sustainability with concentrations of Food Security and Sustainable Energy. Prior to High Point, Gooding graduated from Spruce Creek High School in Daytona Beach, Fla.
https://www.tampaspartans.com/sports/mbkb/2023-24/releases/20230727lnra6g
