Justin Gainey, who served as director of operations with the men’s basketball program at Marquette for three seasons, is returning to the team as an associate head coach, head coach Steve Wojciechowski announced Friday morning.
“We are excited to welcome Justin and the Gainey family back to Marquette,” Wojciechowski said. “Justin is one of the nation’s top rising coaches and his talents, ability to build meaningful relationships and myriad of experiences alongside some of the game’s best teachers will serve our program, and most importantly our players, incredibly well.”
Gainey was a member of Wojciechowski’s first staff at Marquette, serving with the Golden Eagles from 2014-17 and spent each of the past two seasons at Arizona as an assistant coach. In his two years in Tucson, Gainey coached 2020 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year and First Team All-Pac-12 forward Zeke Nnaji. He also helped Nico Mannion earn Second Team All-Pac-12 accolades and both Nnaji and Mannion were on the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team list.
Following his departure from Marquette, Gainey went to work with his former collegiate coach, Herb Sendek, as an assistant coach at Santa Clara. While with the Broncos, he worked with SCU’s perimeter players that included First Team All-WCC selection K.J. Feagin. Santa Clara’s 2018 recruiting class ranked among the 10-best mid-major recruiting classes in the nation.
“My family and I are humbled and excited to return to the Marquette basketball family and this great University,” Gainey said. “Marquette is a special place, with amazing people who make it one of the best Universities in the country.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with one of the best college basketball coaches in the country, as well as one of my mentors, Steve Wojciechowski,” Gainey added. “I’m excited about the future of Marquette basketball and all the great things that lie ahead.”
The former standout player at North Carolina State arrived in Milwaukee after serving for four seasons at Appalachian State as an assistant coach. While with the Mountaineers, he helped develop the point guards and multiple players into all-conference performers under head coach Jason Capel.
Gainey joined Appalachian State in 2010 after spending one season as an assistant coach at Elon under head coach Matt Matheny. Prior to his season with the Phoenix, he spent three seasons on staff at his alma mater, NC State.
In three seasons on Sidney Lowe’s staff at NC State, Gainey served as administrative coordinator (2006-08) and director of basketball operations (2008-09). He assisted in recruiting, scouting and coordinated the program’s summer camps. In addition to his college playing career and time as a coach, Gainey spent three seasons playing professionally both in the United States and abroad.
Gainey played in Europe for two seasons. He competed for Austria’s Woerthersee Piratens in 2000-01 and was selected to the league’s all-star team. In his second year, Gainey played for France’s Olympique D’ Antibes in the Pro A league. Gainey completed his playing career for the USBL’s Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs.
As a standout point guard at NC State from 1996-2000, he was a three-year starter, served as a team captain and was an honorable mention all-conference pick.
Gainey and his wife, Courtney, have three sons – Jordan, Jayson and Jaxson.
Gainey returns to Marquette as Associate Head Coach
Photo Courtesy Marquette Basketball
