Grace Christian Academy is excited to announce the appointment of GCA Athletic Director Marcus Dilligard as the next upper school head boys' basketball coach.

Coach Dilligard brings a wealth of basketball experience from his playing career as a four-year starting forward at Furman University, to professional basketball in Uruguay, to coaching high school basketball in North Caroline, and most recently coaching NAIA Division I basketball at the University of the Cumberlands.

Grace Christian Academy is pleased to announce the appointment of Athletic Director, Marcus Dilligard, as the next head boys’ basketball coach.

Dilligard was a standout player for Furman University from 1997-2001, earning All-Freshman honors, where he was a four-year starting forward and named Furman University ‘Athlete of the Year.’ Dilligard later went on to play professional basketball overseas, earning player of the year honors as well as representing Uruguay on their All-Star team.

After his playing career, Dilligard went on to be the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Carolina Christian School, followed by Victory Christian Center School, where he led the team to the NCISAA Class 1A State Championship (2021) and the NACA Division 2 National Championship (2020) as well as the 2018 USA National Prep High School Basketball Championship.

After his stint in high school basketball, Coach Dilligard transitioned to NAIA Division I basketball at the University of the Cumberlands, where he assisted the team in advancing to their 9^th consecutive NAIA National Tournament, tallying their most conference wins since the 2010-11 season and had a pair of players earn MSC First Team All-Conference accolades. 

“We are thrilled to get to partner with Coach Dilligard in a new way as the next head coach of boys’ basketball at Grace Christian Academy,” Head of School, Matt Mercer said.

“Marcus is committed to GCA’s passion for excellence in athletics and academics and, most importantly, spiritual development. He has been a student-athlete, a team captain, and a champion. Marcus is prepared and committed to driving the continued tradition of our basketball program,” Mercer added.

With a proven record as an accomplished leader and communicator, Dilligard says he is committed to guiding student-athletes in a positive manner and teaching them not only the sport of basketball but also how it relates to life and becoming Godly men. He has proven to be a strong proponent of engaging both players and coaches in program development, as well as faculty and administration, to help ensure the athletic, academic, and social well-being of student-athletes. “Coaching for me is about teaching the importance of being an excellent student-athlete in the classroom, on the court, and in the community,” Dilligard said.

“Grace Christian Academy is a special place, and I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the Rams basketball program,” said Dilligard. “There is a solid foundation in place at GCA, and I’m excited to grow a winning culture and build the Rams into a top performer in Division II-A.”