Georgia College Director of Athletics Wendell Staton has announced that Bobcat Head Men’s Basketball Coach Mark Gainous will step down at the end of the academic year.
Gainous’ departure from Bobcat Nation is largely for family reasons as the Gainous crew has relocated, and the commute meant time away from his wife Natasha Gainous and young children Abe and Annie Grove.
Making the decision to leave Georgia College is obviously a bittersweet moment for me but one I feel is the best decision for me and my family,” said Gainous. “Spending 19 years at one place is extremely special. Working as an assistant coach for 11 years for my mentor and friend Coach Terry Sellers prepared me to lead this program.”
“First off, I would like to thank (former) President Dr. Steve Dorman and Wendell Staton for giving me the opportunity to lead the men’s basketball program eight years ago. Secondly, I would like to thank President Cathy Cox for the continued trust in me and her leadership for our University. I also would like to thank the people of Georgia College – both athletics and across campus. The support I have received and the friendships I have made will always be cherished. Lastly, I would like to thank my assistant Ryan Aquino and our players. Our guys have worked extremely hard both in the classroom and on the court and have always strived to represent Georgia College with class.”
“This past season, I had the most fun I have ever had coaching in my 20-plus seasons as a coach. It was the closest team and most unselfish group I have ever had the privilege to work with. Go Bobcats!”
Spending eight seasons as the head coach and 19 total on the Bobcat Men’s Basketball coaching staff, Gainous has been a mainstay for some of the best basketball in school history.
“Mark Gainous is a fantastic basketball coach and an even better person,” said Staton. “I am grateful for the work he has done and the outstanding culture he has created within our program. He is the most loyal person you will ever meet and I will miss his contagious positivity and our daily morning visits. We talk about family every single day and I am happy that he and Tasha, Abe and Annie Grove will be in the same zip code once again on a daily basis.”
As head coach he finishes with a 115-99 record, picking up his 100th career win this season against then-No. 25 Miles College.
A two-time Peach Belt Conference (PBC) Coach of the Year including this past season, Gainous led the Bobcats to their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2009-10 this season, amassing a 21-8 record. As head coach, he has guided players to nine appearances on the All-PBC Team, as well as a PBC Player of the Year honors for Terrell Harris in 2015-16 and two PBC Freshmen of the Year.
Both Harris and Jordan Thomas have been selected for the Reese’s Division II All-Star Game during his tenure, and Harris was also an NABC All-American in 2015-16. A complete picture of the student-athlete experience, coach Gainous guided the Bobcats to the PBC Team Sportsmanship Award three different times during his tenure.
A national search is forthcoming.
https://gcbobcats.com/sports/mbkb/2021-22/releases/20220331e6gnez
