A Fresh Leadership Era
Michael Gaines has been promoted to head coach of the Lady Crusaders basketball program at Liberty Technology High School, taking the reins of a program that finished the 2025‑26 season with a 15‑9 record and a third‑place finish in District 13‑AA.
The appointment follows a decade‑plus coaching journey that includes stints at Milan High School and Crockett County High School, where Gaines honed a reputation for developing talent and fostering disciplined play.
A legacy of excellence
Beyond the clipboard, Gaines carries a legacy as the all‑time leading scorer at Boyd‑Buchanan School, a feat that earned him a place in the school’s Hall of Fame, and a similarly distinguished playing career at Freed‑Hardeman University, where he twice received NAIA All‑American honors and helped the program to a 24‑11 season in 1997‑98.
School officials, including Dr. Marlon King and Dr. Ricky Catlett, have voiced confidence that Gaines’s blend of playing pedigree and coaching experience will propel the Lady Crusaders to new heights.
Athletic director Dr. Ricky Catlett highlighted the coach’s ability to build on the strong foundation laid by a talented returning core, noting that the program’s recent momentum reflects a community eager for continued success.
Gaines himself expressed a clear vision: to sustain the upward trajectory established by the team’s recent achievements while nurturing the next generation of players.