Thomas College Director of Athletics Sara Shaw has announced the hiring of Deshon Gaither as Head Men’s Basketball Coach.
“We are thrilled that Coach Gaither has agreed to join us as our Head Men’s Basketball Coach,” said Shaw. “His experience coaching basketball at the prep and college levels, as well as abroad, along with his commitment to our program here at Thomas and our student-athletes’ success made the decision to bring him on board a natural fit. He embodies all of the characteristics we desire in a head coach here at Thomas: the ability to recruit quality student-athletes with a commitment to both academics and athletics, the desire to develop student-athletes both on and off the court and a true love for and commitment to Thomas College Basketball. We look forward to the continued success and growth of our men’s basketball program under Coach Gaither’s direction.”
Gaither served as an assistant under previous head coach Joe Scheuers last season, helping lead the Terriers to a 12-12 regular season record and 9-5 conference mark, earning the No. 4 seed in the North Atlantic Conference Tournament. Thomas defeated MMA in the quarterfinal round, then upset top-seeded UMaine-Farmington in the semifinal before falling to Husson in the NAC Championship.
“I am extremely excited and grateful for the opportunity to be the next Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Thomas College,” said Gaither. “I would like to thank President Laurie Lachance, Bernie Ouellette, Sara Shaw and the student-athletes at Thomas College for believing in me and my desire to build on what we started last year. During my time at Thomas College, the community has become part of my family. I am looking forward to what the future holds for the men’s basketball team and making you all proud. On behalf of myself, my wife and my children, we want to thank you so much for welcoming us to the Thomas College family.”
Prior to coming to Thomas, Gaither spent a year at the University of Maine, where he was an assistant coach for the men’s basketball team for the 2013-14 season. He previously coached for three seasons at Lee Academy for the post graduate program (2010-2013) including two years as head coach where he compiled a 52-17 record and placed over twenty players in various college programs all over the country.
Before moving back to the Northeast, Gaither was an assistant coach with the Oita Heat Devils of the Basketball Japan League during the 2009-10 season, serving under former Indiana Pacer Brian Rowsom. From 2005-2008 he was an assistant coach for Maine Hall of Fame Head Coach Max Good at Bryant College. In his three years at Bryant he helped coach the Bulldogs to the NCAA Division II Tournament each year and assisted with the transition to Division I.
Other stops for Coach Gaither include the ABA’s Carolina Thunder and OPBA’s Guelph Gladiators, where he again coached under ABA Coach of the Year Brian Rowsom. They led the Gladiators to an undefeated season en route to the OPBA Championship. Gaither also coached at Barat College, Ashford University and Marycrest International University in the early years of his coaching career. He has been a coach and club advisor for Black Bear North AAU since 2010 and has coached at numerous camps across the country over his career.
A native of South Bend, Ind., Gaither graduated from Ashford University in 1998.
http://athletics.thomas.edu/sports/mbkb/2018-19/releases/20190604iqo549
