Gurganus named new EW varsity girls' basketball coach

By Ben Coley
Published in Sports on July 24, 2016 1:47 AM

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Michael Gurganus loves basketball -- it's practically in his blood.

His father, Marty, just retired from his position as athletics director and varsity girls' basketball coach at Princeton. His younger brother, David, is an assistant men's basketball coach at Averett University in Danville, Va.

Family and basketball have become one and the same for Gurganus.

And that's the exact message he hopes to instill as the incoming varsity girls' basketball coach at Eastern Wayne.

"The mindset I would love to bring is team-oriented like a family tradition," Gurganus said. "Being involved in the community and bringing a family-like feel to it. And obviously trying to maintain the winning aspect as well, and also honoring God with everything we do."

Gurganus played basketball at Charles B. Aycock and graduated in 2005. Last December, he received a degree in physical education and health from the University of Mount Olive. He will be teaching physical education at EW.

For the past six years, he served as an assistant coach on the Princeton girls' basketball team alongside his father. During that time, he also coached the middle school boys' team.

Before starting his first stint as a varsity head coach, there has been no better person to receive advice from than his father, who will now have time to watch both of his sons coach basketball.

"(My dad) told me on numerous occasions to always honor God, and just be yourself," Gurganus said. "Make sure you tie in family values, and just coach the actual game -- coach basketball. Don't worry about what anybody else thinks. You do what's right, and good things will happen."

When Gurganus' family gets together, the conversation is naturally dominated by basketball, and coaching philosophies are sometimes exchanged.

Gurganus wants to incorporate an up-tempo style of play at Eastern Wayne. And after closely watching his dad coach for the past few seasons, Gurganus picked up another important coaching mindset -- always keep your composure.

"(My dad) never lost his cool," Gurganus said. "No matter what was going on, no matter how far up we got or far down we were, he always focused on the girls. He never let the game flow or the officiating bother him. He made sure that they knew he was fighting for them."

Gurganus will be the program's fifth head coach since the 2006-07 season, but he is walking into a team that is used to turning composure into success. The program is two years removed from a 26-1 season and an appearance in the east 3-A regional semifinals.

The Warriors lost to eventual state runner-up Chapel Hill.

In 2013, the team finished 28-2 and lost in the east 3-A regional semifinals to West Craven -- a team that was led by Jamie Cherry. Cherry is now the starting point guard at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Despite a disappointing 12-15 record last season, the team still managed to win a playoff game for the fifth consecutive season. Gurganus hopes to continue that success.

"(We will) just come and work hard every day," Gurganus said. "Just bringing that winning mentality, and just coming to practice ready to work."

While Gurganus acknowledges the importance of keeping the winning tradition alive, he also wants to teach the values of being a great person.

The young coach said he takes his coaching role seriously, but not in a stifling manner. Under his tenure, there will be plenty of room for energy, excitement and entertainment.

And that's precisely how a family is supposed to be.

"Teaching and coaching is something I love to do," Gurganus said. "And I love the game of basketball. You have to wake up every morning loving what you do and you've got to have fun doing it.

"And as a coach, you have to pass that along to your players."