David “Smokey” Gaines is the new Athletic Director for the Memphis City Schools. For Gaines, his new position is but the latest stop in a journey that has taken him all over the world.
For the past three years, Gaines – a former Harlem Globetrotter – served as men's basketball coach and athletic director at LeMoyne-Owen College. While he enjoyed his time at his alma mater, Gaines said, “I am really excited about working with youngsters who attend Memphis City Schools and having the opportunity to improve their lives. It is all about the kids.”
 City Schools Supt. Dr. Kriner Cash tells Donald Holmes (center) and Smokey Gaines (right) his strategy for overcoming during a recent shoot-around for students at the Shelby Metro Sports & Awareness basketball Clinic. Gaines has been appointed the new Memphis City Schools Athletic Director and Holmes has been named his assistant. |
David "Smokey" Gaines is the new Athletic Director for the Memphis City Schools. For Gaines, his new position is but the latest stop in a journey that has taken him all over the world.
For the past three years, Gaines – a former Harlem Globetrotter – served as men's basketball coach and athletic director at LeMoyne-Owen College. While he enjoyed his time at his alma mater, Gaines said, "I am really excited about working with youngsters who attend Memphis City Schools and having the opportunity to improve their lives. It is all about the kids."
Gaines is replacing long time city schools' athletic director, Wayne Weedon. Gaines' assistant will be Northside High School athletic director and girls' basketball coach Donald Holmes. Both men declined to comment on any of the past controversies surrounding athletic programs in the city schools.
"I am only looking forward and not backwards," Gaines said, referring to Memphis City Schools.
Gaines, however, does look back to trace the connection between education and athletics in his life. "All of the successes I have had in my life are a result of my education and my education has come because of my involvement with athletics," he said.
He wants students to succeed both in their schoolwork and in their sports.
"Too many athletes are not succeeding in school and do not have options after they finish playing. I had options and I want all our student athletes to have options."
Gaines earned his Bachelor of Science degree at LeMoyne-Owen and a Master of Arts degree at Eastern Michigan University.
Parents can expect to hear from Gaines whosaid he will try to get them more involved with the school system's athletic programs. And while Gaines said it is too early for him to get specific about program changes, he's looking forward to working with the Memphis Redbirds in supporting baseball and softball programs.
Gaines and Holmes are both avid golfers and would like to get younger students learning to play. Gaines says they will explore opportunities to work with the First Tee program in Memphis. 
A native of Detroit, Gaines first came to Memphis in 1959 to attend LeMoyne -Owen and play basketball for legendary coach Jerry C. Johnson. After leaving LeMoyne-Owen, Gaines became a world traveler, playing for the Harlem Globetrotters. He was the Globetrotters' "dribbling whiz" before "Curly" Neal.
After almost four years with the Globetrotters, Gaines played in the old American Basketball Association (ABA) for a season. He returned to Memphis when his playing days ended and spent a year as an assistant coach at LeMoyne-Owen. Later, he served as an elementary teacher, high school teacher and as an athletic director for a Job Corps program.
Gaines big break came in 1973 when he joined then University of Detroit head basketball coach and current ESPN basketball analyst, Dick Vitale. After serving four years as Vitale's assistant, Gaines became head coach at Detroit in 1977. He had two successful seasons in Detroit and joined the ranks of John Thompson, Fred Snowden and George Raveling as one of the few African-American head coaches at Division 1 colleges.
In 1979, Gaines left Detroit to become head basketball coach at San Diego State University. He broke the hearts of many Memphis Tiger fans when he successfully recruited West Memphis high school basketball star,Michael Cage. At the time, most observers thought Cage would take the short trip across the river to play for the Tigers.
"When Michael saw the San Diego State campus, the ocean and students sun bathing, I knew he would be playing for me," said Gaines.
Cage became a star at San Diego State followed by a long and successful career in the NBA.
In 1987, Gaines left coaching to become an assistant athletic director at San Diego State. Two years later, he joined the NBA's Denver Nuggets as a professional scout. He left the Nuggets in 1994 and until moving to Memphis in 2005, headed a number of business ventures in San Diego and Las Vegas.
"All of my experiences will help me in my new position with the Memphis City Schools," Gaines said.
