Had this move in the DAILY DIRT last week – it’s now official. Here’s the press release from Georgia Southern announcing the hiring of Dion Bethea as an assistant basketball coach on Charlie Henry’s staff:
Georgia Southern men’s basketball has completed its coaching staff for the 2024-25 season by adding former Gray Collegiate Academy head coach Dion Bethea, head coach Charlie Henry announced.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Dion to Georgia Southern. Dion is a winner; evidenced by his six state championships at Gray Collegiate,” Henry said. “I’ve gotten a chance to watch him coach and have always been impressed with the way he leads and connects with the young men in his program. His experience and relationships throughout the Southeast will make an immediate impact on the recruiting trail. I’m excited to add a great person, terrific coach and mentor for our student-athletes and look forward to working with him every day.”
Bethea joins the Eagles and the college ranks for the first time after leading the War Eagles to three consecutive state titles in South Carolina. Bethea won 273 games and six state titles during his time in Columbia.
“I’m very excited to join the Georgia Southern staff,” Bethea said. “Coach Henry has been amazing throughout this process and this is an excellent opportunity. Coaching in college has always been my dream, and I look forward to learning a lot while trusting the process.”
This season, Gray was ranked no. 3 in the state of South Carolina by MaxPreps.
Bethea will reunite with forward Avantae Parker, who won two state championships at Gray, and incoming freshman Braylhan Thomas, who was also a part of this year’s state championship team.
In addition, he coached several Division I basketball players at Gray, including Denver’s Tommy Bruner, who led all of DI in scoring during the 2023-24 season. He has coached five AA Players of the Year.
Bethea earned his degree in sports management from Benedict College. He attended Richland Northeast High School in Columbia, about a 20-minute drive across town from Gray Academy.
He is the second new face on Henry’s staff to be added this offseason, joining Julian Swartz, who was hired in April. Bethea, Swartz and Kente’ Hart will round out Henry’s assistant group for the 2024-25 season.
Bethea hopes to bring his high school success to the collegiate level and assist the Eagles following a 9-24 season a year ago.
