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New Greyhounds boys basketball head coach Willie Reese shares his vision for the program with Greyhound players. BRAD HARRISON/Staff
He was on an ACC championship team with teammates including Mark Price and John Salley. He coached on and recruited a majority of the players for Georgia Tech’s 2004 national runner-up team.
So, when Willie Reese’s name rolled across as an applicant for the boys basketball head coach position at Jones County High School, he instantly became a top candidate.
Reese became more than that last week, being approved as the Greyhounds’ head coach Tuesday evening and introduced to the teams’ current players on Wednesday morning.
Last week wasn’t Reese’s first time on campus at Jones County. Reese’s coaching stops have included Griffin, and the Bears ventured to Gray in recent seasons for tournament play. Reese’s other head coach experience includes stops at Sandy Creek, Landmark Christian, Lovejoy and Meadowcreek.
“I love the administration and how the school is organized,” Reese said. “They’ve got athletes, they’re serious about student-athletes in all sports, that’s appealing to me.”
Whether players are experienced or new, Reese will bring a track record of playing for and coaching some of basketball’s best. In addition to playing for legendary Bobby Cremins at Georgia Tech, he also coached under Paul Hewitt.
“Bobby helped shape my life. He’s been involved in pretty much any job I have ever gotten,” Reese said.
Alligood said that the interview process for Reese included a call between him and Hewitt lasting 30 minutes. It was under Hewitt where Reese received acclaim for helping to develop the Australian-born Luke Schenscher from a raw talent to playing in the NBA. He also coached the likes of BJ Elder and Jarrett Jack on The Flats, where he also spent five years as Director of Basketball Operations.
“When he called me the first time and saw his resume, I was like, ‘are you serious?’ What impressed me the most is he has had his eye on this place. To have someone with his expertise and experience, you’re going to want and get him,” Alligood said. “The proof is in where’s been and who he’s coached. When a D1 coach calls you and raves about him for 30 minutes, that tells you the kind of guy that we have here in Jones County.”
