New Coastal Carolina head basketball coach Justin Gray has added Jayson Gee as the associate head coach / chief of staff, Ryne Lightfoot as an assistant coach / defensive coordinator, and Zach Freesman as an assistant coach / offensive coordinator, all previously from Western Carolina.

The Big Picture

The addition of experienced coaches from Western Carolina to the Coastal Carolina men's basketball staff brings a wealth of expertise and familiarity to the program under the leadership of new head coach Justin Gray.

By the Numbers
  • Jayson Gee has a career head coaching record of 202-175 over 11 seasons.
  • Ryne Lightfoot guided the Catamounts to a top four Southern Conference regular season finish and two appearances in the semifinals.
  • Zach Freesman played a pivotal role in improving Western Carolina's offensive efficiency and recruiting efforts.
State of Play
  • Jayson Gee brings 30 years of coaching experience, having worked with various NCAA programs.
  • Ryne Lightfoot demonstrated leadership in defensive improvements and successful coaching roles at Grand Canyon University and Bethel University.
  • Zach Freesman's contributions at Western Carolina led to enhanced offensive performance and a strengthened recruiting program.
Bottom Line

The recruitment of Jayson Gee, Ryne Lightfoot, and Zach Freesman from Western Carolina underscores Coastal Carolina's commitment to bolstering its basketball program with seasoned coaching talent, signaling a strategic move to enhance performance and competitiveness in the upcoming seasons.