‘I’m ready for it’: Coastal Carolina basketball alumnus psyched for 1st head coaching job
E.J. Gallup has won countless games throughout his basketball career, whether in high school, college or professionally.
Now, the former Coastal Carolina standout is back at 0-0.
Gallup, a former Myrtle Beach resident who graduated from CCU in 2004 after two years playing for the men’s basketball team, is starting the transition from playing to coaching after accepting the head coaching position at Fulton Montgomery Community College in Johnstown, New York, which is near his hometown and current residency of Gloversville in the upstate.
“I’m going to have a lot to learn obviously and I’m excited about it. It’s no secret that I don’t have any head coaching experience, but I do have a really long career playing for a lot of really good coaches, so I’ve learned a lot in that regard,” said Gallup, who played high-level overseas basketball while living in Myrtle Beach following his graduation from Coastal Carolina. “I’m ready for whatever comes up. It’s not going to be super easy and I’m sure there’s going to be some bumps in the road. But that’s part of the process and I’m ready for it. I’m just excited to give back to these kids.”
Fulton Montgomery Community College, a Division III school and a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association, had an opening at men’s basketball coach when Ed Collar left to take a job at Gloversville High School. Kevin Jones, FMCC’s athletic director and women’s basketball coach, said his longtime relationship with Gallup, who’d helped out at the school in previous years, played a factor in the hiring.
“He’s just a really, really respected guy. I’ve known him since he was in high school and I don’t know anybody that’s come up to me ever and said ‘Man, that Gallup guy,’” said Jones, who added that the college is recruiting in preparation to play in the fall despite some uncertainty facing all collegiate athletics in the U.S. amid the coronavirus pandemic. “It’s always positive wherever I go.”
While juggling a basketball career and a couple business ventures, Gallup said he caught the coaching bug while doing some radio and TV locally in New York.
“I think the more and more games I called I was like ‘Man, I really think I can help these kids better on the sidelines than sitting here in the booth,’” the 38-year-old said. “That’s what kind of got my gears spinning.”
Gallup believes his young age relative to coaching will allow him to teach players with a more hands-on approach as he plans to participate in some drills each week.
“I’m in a unique situation where I’m still playing in some high-level leagues — I can still get on the court, I can do it with them — so I think I can really relate to the kids and they can relate to me,” said Gallup, who competed in The Basketball Tournament the last two summers with Team Fredette. “I’m an old player and a really young coach. I can relate to the kids and they can see what I’ve done in my career.”
Jones said he believes Gallup’s professional experience — he played internationally until 2013 before playing in pro leagues in the U.S. off and on since — will go a long ways in helping a menagerie of kids navigating the JUCO route, a notion his pupil agrees with.
“I think I have a lot to offer in getting the kids to where they want to go,” Gallup said.
This story was originally published May 9, 2020 at 4:50 PM.
