Deidrich Gilreath is the upcoming varsity basketball coach. He grew up in South Arlington in Virginia, attended Wakefield High School and then Norfolk State University, He began coaching high school basketball at Wakefield High School in 2010 until 2017. During the day, he works ISS at Annandale High School.

Q: How did you discover your interest in basketball?

A: I’ve always loved basketball but I realized I wanted to coach when I was volunteer coaching for recreation centers.

Q: What are your strengths as a coach?

A:My strength as a coach is letting kids play to their strengths and giving my players the confidence they need to play up to their potential.

Q:What are your best and worst memories in coaching?

A: My best memory as a coach is being hired here as the head varsity coach. It’s a goal I set for myself. My worst memory as a coach is the season that I went 5-10 as a freshman coach. It was a loooong season.

Q:Do you plan on fundraising and what type of activities would you use?

A: For fundraising we will be selling $5 raffle tickets, we will do leaf raking in the Annandale Community on 11/18, we will sell t-shirts during home games and we will possibly be doing a krispy kreme fundraiser!

Q:What are you doing to prepare for the season?

A:It doesn’t take much for me to prepare for the season. My job is to get my team ready to compete and play well.

Q:How will you handle the discipline of players?

A:To discipline players, they will either run a lot or be suspended for a game. Bad attitudes and behavior aren’t tolerated.

Q:What advice do you have for your players regarding the balance of athletics and academics?

A:Student Athletes. Student comes before athlete. Can’t be an athlete without being a great student.

Q:How should parents support their child as an athlete?

A:Kids look for their parents at the games. All I ask from my parents is to please be present at games. You don’t know how much it means for a kid to look up in the stands and see mom and dad at his game.

Q:What are your goals for the team this year?

A:I want to get this school to the regional tournament. The seniors that we have have made that the goal so I will do my best to help them achieve that.

Q:How do you plan to improve as a coach from year to year?

A:Listening to your players and adapting to the changes in the game of basketball helps any coach improve.

Q:How would you describe the organization of a typical practice?

A:Not sure how to explain the organization of a practice but I personally like to have intense, physical, competitive practices. Pushing each other in practice will translate to games. Everything starts in practice.

Q:What is the best advice you’ve ever given a player?

A: “Shoot the ball” is the best advice I’ve given a player.

Q:What is your favorite sports movie?

A:My favorite sports movie is Blue Chips. The Sandlot and Remember the Titans are a close second and third.