GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Gainesville has a new boys basketball coach.
Former Newton High boys coach Charlemagne Gibbons is the new man in charge of Big Red basketball, pending board approval later this month.
Gainesville athletics director Adam Lindsey confirmed the hiring via press release Tuesday morning.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have (Charlemagne) Gibbons join us,” Lindsey said. “What his teams have accomplished in each of his coaching stops speaks to the coach he is, but when you look at how he’s been able to cultivate individual talent, that doesn’t happen unless you can build relationships, and that’s when you start to realize what a special human exists in that resume too.”
Gibbons replaces Chuck Graham, who led the program for five seasons, missing the state tournament the last two and finishing 14-11 last season. On Monday, Gainesville superintendent Jeremy Williams confirmed that the system "relieved" Graham from his coaching responsibilities at the end of the season. Graham remains on as a teacher.
While at Newton High School, Gibbons led the Rams to two quarterfinals and one semifinal appearance and was named Region 4-7A coach of the year in 2020.
“I’m super excited to be joining the Gainesville family,” Gibbons said. “The vision that Dr. Williams, Mr. Green, and athletic director Adam Lindsey have for the program is outstanding. They have a true vision for Gainesville athletics to become one of the top programs in the state. I look forward to the challenge and feel my experience and past success will be a great complement to the already outstanding things that are taking place in Red Elephant Nation.”
Before his stint at Newton, Gibbons coached at Starrs Mill and Florida Atlantic University, but his tenure at Morgan County High School from 2006-2014 put Gibbons on the coaching-talent map.
Twice named region coach of the year while guiding the Bulldogs (2012, 2013), Gibbons earned statewide coach of the year honors by the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, Georgia Sportswriters Association, and Georgia Athletics Coaches Association after leading the Bulldogs to the Class AAA state title in 2014, the school’s first-ever state championship.
He also coached the Morgan County girls (2010-2013). The Lady Bulldogs made it to the state quarterfinals in his first season. Gibbons guided them to a region title and a quarterfinal berth a year later.
Newton led the Rams to a 19-11 finish and a Class 7A quarterfinal appearance in 2023. Gibbons brings a career record of 324-157 to Gainesville.
