Gulf Coast State College has hired Lane Below as the new Men’s Basketball Head Coach.
Below brings a wealth of experience and a passion for basketball to his role as the new Head Coach for the Gulf Coast State College Men’s Basketball program. Having served as an Assistant Coach for the Chipola Indians since 2022, Below played a pivotal role in the team’s remarkable success. Under his guidance, the 2023-24 Chipola Men’s Basketball program achieved back-to-back Panhandle Conference Championships, 2024 Region VIII Champions, and made their third consecutive National Tournament appearance. Notably, during the 2023 season, Chipola advanced to the Sweet 16 at the National Tournament in Hutchinson, KS. During Coach Below’s time with the Chipola Indians, he helped guide seven players to NCAA Division I institutions.
Before joining Chipola, Below honed his coaching skills during two seasons as an Assistant Coach at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where he collaborated with hall of Fame Coach Tim Ryan. Prior to that, he served as a graduate assistant at the University of Mississippi, working under head coach Kermit Davis, contributing to the team’s success in advancing to the 2019 NCAA Tournament.
Below’s journey in basketball started as a collegiate player at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, under the guidance of the legendary Gene Bess, followed by two seasons at Ole Miss, playing under head coach Andy Kennedy. He graduated from Ole Miss in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in general studies and was recognized for his academic achievements as a member of the Southeast Conference Academic Honor Roll. Later, as a graduate assistant for the Rebels, he earned a master’s degree in health promotion.
Originally from Advance, Missouri, Coach Below is deeply rooted in the basketball community. He is married to Hannah Below, a former NCAA Division I basketball player at Southeast Missouri State University and the University of Evansville. Together, they have a daughter, Collins Elizabeth.
