Future coach Mabry ready to pursue opportunities after 'So' program

ABILENE -- ACU women's basketball senior Makayla Mabry was selected to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's (WBCA) 18th "So You Want To Be A Coach" program. Mabry, along with the other student-athletes selected, participated in a one-day online workshop in late March, learning about the administrative side of coaching, recruiting, how to get hired, skill development, the importance of knowing the rules, and how to balance work and life.

"So You Want To Be A Coach"

The objectives of the “So” program are to increase the understanding and application of skills necessary to secure coaching positions in women’s basketball, increase the understanding and awareness of competencies necessary for success in coaching, introduce female basketball players to coaches and administrators, and raise awareness of the existing talent pool of female basketball players who have a passion and interest in coaching the game of women’s basketball.

Qualified candidates must have exhausted their final year of basketball eligibility at a four-year institution or have graduated within the past year. In addition, the candidate’s head coach has to nominate them and must be an active WBCA member. Each participant is selected based on her academics, contributions to women’s basketball on and off the court, professional resume and a written recommendation from their head coach.

In addition to this year’s participants, former student-athletes selected to attend the 2020 “So” program, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, also participated in this year’s virtual program.

The Nomination Process

Assistant coach Drew Cole thought Makayla would be a great candidate for the program, and he told the San Antonio native to talk with head coach Julie Goodenough, who was in charge of sending in the nomination. Coach Goodneough wrote a letter of recommendation, and Makayla sent in her résumé and cover letter for consideration.

“I didn't think I would get it,” said Mabry. “I thought for sure they would pick kids from bigger schools. But I was excited when we got the call.”

Pursuing Coaching As A Career

Makayla is graduating with a degree in criminal justice. Coaching was not on her mind. But after her career-ending concussion against Southeastern Louisiana on Jan. 16, ACU's all-time career three-point shooter gave coaching a consideration.

“Honestly, it didn't set in until I couldn't play. Coach Cole thought I would make a great coach. I thought, ‘Well, maybe I’ll try it.' And when I couldn't play, I basically turned into a student assistant. It was really cool to see the other side of it. Now that I've been on both sides in the same year, it really opened my eyes and made me think this could be a career path.”

Mabry was concussed right around the beginning of the season in November, and missed the first few games. The doctors told her then that she would not be able to play again if she got another one. Much to the surprise of Makayla, she happened to get another one against SLU, marking the end to her one-of-a-kind, incredible career.

“I honestly didn't know what my role would be after that. I wasn't sure if I was done or what was next. But when we came back home that next week, the coaches just encouraged me to be present, be on the sideline, and to stay involved in the games. So all of a sudden I am getting dressed up and am being involved with the assistant coaches.”

But Mabry was not just sitting on the bench dressed up. She was involved with the coaches during practice, she was helping out with post players in practice and on game days, and was a huge help throughout the entire season. On game days, her role was to help as much as she could with play calls, assignments, and helping communicate with the players throughout the game. It made her want to pursue it full-time, and the journey now begins after graduation.

What Is Next, What She's Learned

Makayla wants to be a graduate assistant coach at a school next season, and has started applying to different places.

“I'm excited about that opportunity. I think I want my degree to be a little more general. Maybe business, maybe psychology, but something that applies and is beneficial to me down the road. I want something that will help me in the long run. And I definitely want to coach.”

It was a year unlike any other in so many ways. The pandemic, the injuries, the career-ending concussion, not being able to put an actual bow on her career. That could have all been a very negative thing. But Makayla sees the silver lining in it.

“It was tough at the beginning, but it definitely has helped me in the long run. I got to learn about what our coaches do. There is so much they do behind the scenes we don't know about. And I may have found my new career out of this. It was so much fun. I am so excited about the chance to do this.”

And from the program, Makayla really valued relationships.

“Going into coaching, I will know what worked for me as a player and what did not. And from this program, I learned about different aspects that I never really thought about before. I want to invest in players. I want to build relationships with them. I think this will be a great opportunity.”

“Coach Mabry” sounds pretty good.

About the WBCA
Founded in 1981, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women's and girls' basketball at all levels of competition. The WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to the organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport.

About WeCOACH
Founded in 2011, WeCOACH has become the premier membership organization committed to recruiting, advancing, and retaining women coaches across all sports and levels. Previously known as the Alliance of Women Coaches, the organization reinvigorated its brand in August 2018. By providing a supportive and unified network, educational programs and resources, and access to in-person and digital resources, WeCOACH is changing the landscape for women coaches.