Jay Powell is in his fifth season at the helm of the Gulf Coast State College's Men's basketball program. In his first season, the Commodores reached a new level of success by winning 18 games and finishing 3rd in the Panhandle Conference. Also, all 6 sophomores on the 2007-2008 team went on to four year schools on scholarship to play basketball and obtain their degree.  Coach's take on the first year, "The idea to come in to Gulf Coast and have success on and off the court in year one was a lofty goal. The men worked hard on the court and in the classroom, though. I thank them for following my lead, and I look forward to continuing to improve this program." Three men from the team went on to Division 1 schools off of the 2007-2008 team.

The 2008-2009 season went very well for the Commodores. The team finished 24 and 9 and in 2nd place in the Panhandle Conference for the year. The team also made the state tournament for the first time in 10 seasons. While at the state tournament, the team won two games against nationally ranked teams and finished State Runner-Up. Three of the men went on to Division 1 schools, and Marquis Gilstrap was named to the NJCAA All-American Team.
2009-2010 was a season that ended well despite several injuries that could have deflated the team. The team finished 18 and 11 and finished 3rd in the Panhanlde Conference. The team had seven men go on to Division 1 schools. Over the three years, that raises the total to 13 Division 1 players that have come out of Gulf Coast State College. Also, 16 out of 19 sophomores have graduated from GCSC.

The 2010-2011 season was difficult before it began.  Javon Dawson, went down with a torn ACL.  Fortunately, Javon still ended up at the University of Utah to be Coach Powell’s first player to go to the PAC-12 Conference.  During the season, Coach moved into 3rd place all time on the career “wins list” at Gulf Coast State College.  Also, 6 of 7 sophomore graduated, and all six that graduated went on to receive a basketball scholarship at a four year institution.  Four of those men went to NCAA Division 1 institutions.

Jay Powell was named Gulf Coast State College's 16th men's basketball coach in April of 2007. He became the head coach after one season as an assistant for Coach Jim Hatfield at GCSC. "I truly appreciate Coach Hatfield giving me the opportunity to come work for him at Gulf Coast. That year allowed me to lay a foundation with people at Gulf Coast State College that proved to them I would be a great fit for what the program needed. We are solid with our character, academics, and athletics." Coach Hatfield and Coach Powell worked together at Murray State University, also. Both worked under Tevester Anderson, now the head coach at Jackson State University in Jackson, MS. During those three years, Powell was the student assistant/head manager, and the Racers won two of three Ohio Valley Conference Championships from 2000 to 2002.

Prior to Gulf Coast, Jay Powell was the head coach at Horn Lake High School in Horn Lake, MS for two seasons. "The years at Horn Lake were wonderful. I was able to lead a program. The players were a blessing to be around, and so was the community. The teams built a lot of excitement about basketball with camps, tournaments, and student body involvement, and I think it has and will continue to carry over for a while in that community. I still really enjoy staying in touch with those guys I coached at Horn Lake."

The two seasons before Powell went to Horn Lake, he was an assistant coach under Coach Doug Lyles at the high school he attended, Marshall County High in Benton, KY. "The memories of playing and coaching at MCHS are something else. There are not many places in the world you can have a gym with 6,000 people fired up about a high school basketball game. Being reared in that mindset was good for me because it allowed me to figure out early how important basketball was to people, and how important coaches are to young men."

Jay, his wife Kara, son Gannon, and daughter Jaelynn live on Panama City Beach. Kara is a 1st grade teacher at a local elementary school. Gannon is 13 and Jaelynn is 8.

Phone: 850.747.3235
Email: jpowell@gulfcoast.edu

Odell Witherspoon is entering his third season as an assistant at Gulf Coast State College. Coach Witherspoon’s responsibilities include scouting opponents, coordinating recruiting efforts, player development, film exchange, and monitoring teams off the court activities. In his two years at Gulf Coast 14 players have moved on to four year schools, 11 at the division one level.

Coach Witherspoon spent the 2008-2009 season as an assistant coach at The Patterson School in Lenoir, NC. He worked under Chris Chaney, one of the most successful prep school coaches in the country. The team finished with a record of 34-3 and the #1 ranking in prep school basketball. The team had 10 players move on to four year schools, 9 at the division one level.

During his professional career, coach has worked on the sports management side as well helping in the development of Hassan Whiteside ( #33 pick 2010 NBA draft), and Kirk Snyder (#16 pick 2004 NBA draft).He  also assisted former NBA head coach Bob Hill in the skill development of many other professional players.
Coach Witherspoon is a native of Charlotte, NC and also graduated with a B.A. in communication studies from UNC Charlotte.

Coach Powell’s take on Coach Witherspoon, “I am excited we were able to bring in someone like Odell Witherspoon. His knowledge, enthusiasm, and work ethic are tremendous assets to our program. He is going to help us continue to win a large number of basketball games”.

Phone: 850.873.3568
Email: owitherspoon@gulfcoast.edu

Norris Harvey continues his service to Gulf Coast State College under head coach Jay Powell. Coach Harvey is originally from Fayetteville, NC and graduated from Fayetteville State University in 1980. Upon completion of his degree, Coach Harvey obtained a Master's Degree in Mathematics Education from Jackson State University in Jackson, MS. Coach Harvey spent 9 years at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee before coming to Gulf Coast State College where he has spent the last ten years.

Coach Harvey assists in all aspects of the men's basketball program. "Coach is the type guy you want your son to be around. He does right, expects young men to do right, and is fun at the same time," says men's head coach Jay Powell, "We are very fortunate to have someone like Norris on our staff and a part of our college."

Phone: 850.769.1551 ext. 2812
Email: nharvey@gulfcoast.edu

Jordan Carter will be entering his first season as an assistant coach for Gulf Coast State College.  Coaching responsibilities include: scouting, recruiting, player development, and completing daily basketball operations for the program.

Coach Carter spent the 2009-2011 seasons as an assistant coach under D.G. Sherrill at Bowling Green High School in Bowling Green, KY.  He had the privilege of coaching one of 2011's highest recruited players, Chane Behanan, who finished in the rankings at #27 in ESPN's Top 100 and was selected to the 2011 McDonald's All-American Team.  Combining both seasons the team had 6 players sign to continue their careers at the collegiate level.

Coach Carter is originally from Bowling Green, KY and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Sport Management from Western Kentucky University, where he was an intern for the Men's Basketball program during the 2009-2010 season.

Coach Carter's thoughts on joining the staff, "I am blessed to have the opportunity to work with such a great coaching staff.  I'm looking forward to learning the various aspects of coaching at this level and excited to be a part of the program's continued success."