Story: Adam Nelson (@HD_DirtKing)

NAIA Brescia University (KY) has named Sarah Gayler as their new Director of Athletics and Head Men’s Basketball Coach. She the first woman ever to become a head men’s basketball coach in NAIA history.

Gayler had spent the past two years working in basketball operations for the Milwaukee Bucks. She also served as a Jr. NBA Coach in both China and India, and has worked as an intern with the NBA’s Summer League in Las Vegas. Gayler also brings ABA experience to Brescia, working as an assistant with both the North Dallas Vandals and the Kentucky Mavericks.

Brescia held a press conference on Friday to announce the hiring. When asked about her thoughts on taking over a men’s program as the head coach, Gayler said, “I’ve been part of a men’s program for the last 12. So, it’s just another Friday. I’m very grateful, but it’s normal.”

“I was helping with scouting and basketball ops with the Milwaukee Bucks, it was fun, it was great, an amazing experience, but I’m a basketball coach, I really missed it,” Gayler said. “This opportunity, I saw it, it fell in my lap and I said I’m going to go for it.

Gayler is a 2009 graduate of the University of New Orleans, where she was a scholarship player on the women’s basketball team. She also played for one season at Arkansas Ft. Smith, and was part of a team that finished as the #3 ranked NJCAA D1 team in the country in 2006.

Brescia will open their season on November 1st when they travel to NCAA D1 Murray State.