For Coach Ty, basketball is more than a sport, it’s a lifeline, a classroom, and a calling. From being saved by the game as a young man, to now guiding others through it, he’s built his coaching career on purpose and passion. Whether he’s leading his team through adversity, or encouraging a player in an one-on-one conversation, Coach Ty brings authenticity, heart, and a drive to develop better athletes.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Coach Ty.

Coach Ty, What first inspired you to become a coach?
I was inspired by the desire to give back through the game of basketball. This sport saved me from a lot of trouble, and coaching became a way for me to return that blessing. I want to guide others through the same path that once gave me direction.

What’s the most rewarding part of coaching for you personally?
The most rewarding part is watching these young athletes grow not just in basketball, but as young adults. Seeing them become better people, students, and leaders off the court is what keeps me going. That development means more than any win.

How do you define success beyond wins and losses?
Success to me is about growth and learning from every experience. If you can take something away from each situation and avoid repeating negative patterns, you’re already winning. It’s about constant progress, not just the scoreboard.

What’s one lesson your players have taught you?
My players have taught me patience,real patience. I’ve learned that mistakes are part of the journey and not the end of the world. They’ve shown me how important grace is during development.

How do you help your athletes grow as people, not just players?
I focus on teaching them right from wrong and how to trust their conscience. Life is full of choices, and I want them to have the tools to walk away from anything that doesn’t serve them. The game is temporary, but their character lasts forever.

Share a moment that truly moved you during your coaching career.
One moment that really stuck with me was watching my players go up to college coaches at a live period and introduce themselves. They came back proud, bragging about getting numbers or business cards. It showed me how confident and hungry they were for the next level.

How do you keep your team motivated during tough times?
I remind them that no matter how bad things feel, someone out there is going through worse. Encouragement and perspective go a long way. We lean on each other and keep pushing forward together.

What’s your favorite team tradition?
My favorite tradition is how we hype each other up. We bring that energy every single day and act as each other’s biggest cheerleaders. That kind of love fuels us.

What’s something your players might be surprised to know about you?
Most people don’t know that soccer was actually my first love. Before basketball, I was out there kicking a ball and dreaming differently. It’s a big part of my athletic roots.

What’s the proudest moment you’ve experienced as a coach?
Seeing my players grow into respectable, confident young men is my proudest achievement. It happens day by day, and I notice the little changes. That transformation means everything.

How do you handle pressure and expectations as a coach?
I leave what I can’t control to God. I focus on doing my part. I show up for my players by being present. That faith helps me carry the load.

What’s a fun ritual or superstition you have before games?
Before each game, we huddle and pray together as a team. Sometimes a player will dunk after warm-ups, and the rest of the squad jumps around in hype. It sets the tone.

How do you stay connected with former players?
I check in with them on social media and keep in touch by calling them. It’s important to me that they know I’m still in their corner. Our relationship doesn’t end when the season does.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to young coaches just starting out?
Stay consistent in everything you do. Be true to the kids you coach and hold yourself to the same standard you expect from them. Your example speaks louder than your words.

What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
I want people to say Coach Ty really cared deeply. Whether I coached you or just talked with you, I hope you felt that I wanted the best for you. That’s the legacy I’m building.

How has coaching shaped you as a person?
Coaching has kept me grounded and focused. Knowing I have young men looking up to me keeps me away from the wrong paths. It gives my life purpose beyond the game.

How do you handle the emotional weight of being a role model for young athletes?
I live by the same expectations I set for them. If I want them to be great, I’ve got to model that in my own life. Being that example helps carry the responsibility.

What’s your coaching philosophy?
Never quit, outwork your opponent, and keep the energy sky-high. Be the biggest dog on the courtmentally and physically. That mindset makes all the difference.

Can you share a game that changed your life as a coach?
Honestly, every single game changes me. Just getting the chance to be on the sideline and pour into these athletes is life-changing. Win or lose, I’m grateful every time.

What’s the most unexpected moment you’ve had as a coach?
Getting a phone call from one of my players saying they’d been shot was heartbreaking. That moment reminded me how real life can get outside of the gym. It shook me and fueled my mission even more.

What’s the biggest life lesson you’ve learned from a certain loss?
Losses don’t define you, they teach you. Let it sting, let it humble you, but make sure you learn from it. Growth is born in those tough moments.

How do you nurture leadership within your team?
I push them to treat each other like family first. Leadership starts with how you care for those around you. If you lead with love, the rest follows.

What is one piece of advice you constantly repeat to your team?
Stay together and bring energy ,on the court, and on the bench. No matter what, we ride for each other. That unity wins games.

Do you have a signature phrase or principle?
“Be DIFFERENT. Be YOU.” That’s the standard. I tell them to never try to fit in when they were made to stand out.

What is the toughest coaching decision you ever had to make?
Letting a player go from the team was one of the hardest decisions I’ve faced. You build relationships and want to help everyone. But sometimes tough love is necessary.

How do you stay current with the game to keep evolving as a coach?
I still play and study the game daily. Watching how it changes helps me adapt. You’ve got to stay a student if you want to teach.

What would your players say about you as a coach?
They’d all probably have different things to say, but I hope they’d agree I’m loyal and true. I care for them deeply and want what’s best for them. That’s my heartbeat.

How do you want to be remembered as a coach?
I want every player to know I had their back. That I showed up, stayed real, and never stopped believing in them. That’s the mark I hope to leave.

Have you earned any championships, awards, or honors during your coaching career?
Yes, I won back-to-back championships at Hillsdale Baptist during the 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 seasons. I was named 2nd Team All-American and still hold the school’s record for most assists in a single game with 13. That chapter of my life taught me how to win and lead.

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