McKinley High School has announced the appointment of Ryan Gracia as varsity girls basketball head coach.
Gracia served as a varsity assistant under former head coach Bryant Bowden. His ties with McKinley include a stint as a boys basketball varsity assistant in 2006 when the Bulldogs won the Division I state title.
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A Canton South High School graduate, Gracia was a boys basketball assistant in 2003 when the Wildcats reached the state final four. He also worked as an assistant at Walsh University.
Gracia’s professional coaching career includes roles as head coach, general manager and part-owner of the semi-pro Stark County Revolution. It led to a similar position with the American Basketball Association’s Florida Makos.
Beyond coaching, Gracia is the founder of CoachG4Lyfe, an organization dedicated to motivational speaking, college advising and athletic training. He is the former executive director of The Prepared Athlete, a non-profit organization for youth in grades 3-12. He served as camp director for former NBA players Eric Snow and Keith McLeod, and has worked extensively in conducting clinics, summer leagues and camps.