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Athletics

Meet RMHS' Athletic Director

Michael Gainey

Coach Michael Gerard Gainey

  A native of Suffolk, Virginia, has dedicated his life to education, athletics, and service to his community. Born in   1965 to Sylvia Gainey, he grew up alongside his siblings   Shawn, Joy, and Vonnie. He is married to Pamela Gainey,   who also teaches Health and Physical Education at Rocky   Mount High School and serves as the Head Girls’   Basketball Coach. Together, they have two children,   Michael “M.J.” Jr. and Michelle.

 

Coaching & Teaching Career

Coach Gainey began his teaching career in 1989 at George R. Edwards Jr. High School in Rocky Mount, where he coached basketball, football, softball, and track. In 1995, he transitioned to Rocky Mount Senior High, first as an assistant varsity boys’ basketball coach and later as head coach of the junior varsity team. In 1997, he was named head coach of the varsity boys’ basketball team, a role in which he has built a remarkable legacy.

Under his leadership, the Gryphons have achieved:

  • 8 conference regular season titles

  • 8 conference tournament titles

  • 5 Conference Coach of the Year awards

  • 15 state playoff appearances

  • 5 regional appearances

  • 2 regional titles

  • 2 state championships

In 2012, he was named the North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association State Coach of the Year.

In addition to coaching, Coach Gainey became Athletic Director at Rocky Mount High in 1999. Under his guidance, the school won the Wachovia Cup (now the Wells Fargo Cup) for six consecutive years beginning in 2006.

Honors & Awards

Coach Gainey’s contributions have been widely recognized. His honors include:

  • SRA Human Relations Teacher of the Year Award (2003)

  • Homer Thompson Memorial “Eight Who Make a Difference” Award (2005)

  • Charlie Adams Distinguished Service Award (2013)

  • Toby Webb Coach of the Year Award (2014)

  • Nash-Rocky Mount Teacher of the Year (2018–19)

  • Athletic Director of Excellence Award (2019)

  • Induction into the NC Athletic Director Association Hall of Fame (Class of 2023)

  • Key to the City of Rocky Mount, with October 6, 2023, declared “Coach Michael Gainey Day” by Mayor Sandy Roberson

Leadership & Service

Coach Gainey has remained active in state and national associations throughout his career. He has been a member of the North Carolina Association of Educators, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, and the North Carolina Coaches Association since 1989. He joined the North Carolina Athletic Director’s Association in 1999 and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association in 2008, becoming a Certified Master Athletic Administrator in 2014. He also served on the NCHSAA Board of Directors from 2019 to 2022.

Legacy

Beyond the accolades and championships, Coach Gainey is most proud of the impact he has made on the lives of young people. He treasures watching his students succeed academically, athletically, and in their post-secondary journeys. Among his fondest memories is leading the Gryphons to victory in the 2010 NCHSAA 3A State Championship game—a moment marked not only by athletic success but also by the overwhelming support of the Rocky Mount community.