Continuity.
Anwar Perry admits he wanted to be a head basketball coach. And yes, he had his eye on Allen County Community College.
“One day. I mean I never thought it would come like this. I enjoyed being assistant coach under Mike (Hayes),” Perry said, a week after being named interim head coach for 2010-2011.
“Every assistant coach is looking to move into a head coaching position. And I thought about this job after Mike retired but I didn’t expect it this way.”
Mike Hayes, who finished his 15th season as Red Devil head coach last year, decided to resign from his basketball coaching position two weeks ago. Hayes remains as a business instructor at Allen County and the head golf coach.
“I’m excited about the opportunity and this season. I am sad to see Coach Hayes step down. He is a great coach and I’ve learned a lot from him,” Perry said.
Perry has been the assistant coach for the ACCC men’s basketball the past three years. Perry also brings a storied college playing career to the table as a coach.
Perry, who is from Lewisville, Texas, went to Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, Ky. As a player, Perry played in four consecutive NCAA Division II championship games.
Perry and one other teammate have their uniforms hanging in the NCAA Hall of Fame because of that four-year run. Perry and his KWC teammate won NCAA Division II national championships in 1999 and 2001, which was his senior season.
“Yes, it gives me a good insight to what our players are facing. I know what they need to do — academics first and foremost then what it takes to perform well on the basketball court,” Perry said.
Since Hayes made his decision so late, two weeks before classes began, the ACCC administration thought it was best to promote Perry. Perry was ready for the job.
“Mike always had me handling the out-of-state recruiting plus some of the in-state contacts. I knew our kids, especially since we have a very young team this season,” Perry said.
Allen County had only one returning sophomore from last year’s 17-13 squad. Keevis Tukes is back, which makes Perry happy plus the team has two sophomore transfers.
“Keevis is a great leader on the court,” Perry said. “Our student athletes bought into the school so our recruits are here and we’re off to a fresh start.”
Perry said he was moving the team into his style of play — more of the aggressive up and down action. He said he was working in some of the system he played under at Kentucky Wesleyan.
“We were very successful with that system. I’m trying to formulate a plan which will give our team the opportunity to be successful,” Perry said.
“I respect Coach Hayes a great deal. He has taught me a lot and I know I’ll still have small chats with him during the season and use him as a resource.”
Perry said he comes from a military family background, so discipline is part of his life.
“Preparation is key to any thing — classroom work, athletic work or just life in general. I’m a big believer in character of oneself and as a team,” he said.
Perry said he plans to have his players more active in the community. He said that was important to the program and to the students themselves to be part of a community.
After earning an undergraduate degree in sports management at Kentucky Wesleyan, Perry worked as an assistant coach at his hometown high school.
Then he got out of coaching and worked in the business world.
“Then the Allen County (assistant) job came open and I just love the game so much I wanted back into coaching,” Perry said.
“I really like the school and being part of Iola’s community. I met my wife here and I really like my job.”
He and his wife, Kim, along with stepdaughters Mataiya, 6, and Malaiya, 4, live in Masterson Hall on the ACCC campus. Perry is the dorm director.
“I have 56 students living in the dorm and I love that part of my job. Students, including my players, can come in and sit and talk, vent, whatever. They interact with my family,” Perry said.
Perry has a masters degree in health and physical education and is working on a second masters degree in business. Both degrees are from Emporia State University.
Perry also has three children — Myla, 10, Anwar, 8, and Adrienne, 3, who live in Kentucky.
Perry brings strong assets as head coach
