K-State's Awbrey secures first head coaching job in Wichita
MANHATTAN (KSNT) - Nate Awbrey has lived in Manhattan, Kansas since before he started kindergarten.
Now, he's beginning a new journey, moving away from Manhattan for the first time for his first head coaching job. After four years of playing basketball at Manhattan Christian College, one year of playing for K-State and sticking with the Wildcats as a graduate assistant coach, Awbrey's been trying to decide on his next 'life decision.'
The trifecta of basketball, faith and being able to make an impact on young people made Wichita Trinity Academy a perfect opportunity for Awbrey.
"I had kind of been wrestling with what I wanted to do, I had my background in youth ministry and I love basketball," Awbrey said.
Then, a friend he met through YoungLife who works at Trinity texted him about the job opening, which kickstarted the interview process. Awbrey's always wanted to lead a program and build a culture somewhere, though he didn't know it would happen so early on.
Becoming a coach is something Awbrey says he talked a lot about with his former coach, Jerome Tang. The Wildcat head coach got a similar start to his career, coaching high school and being involved in youth ministry.
Awbrey was not only encouraged by Tang's advice, but he says he's learned a lot in the few years they've had together.
"He's someone who loves you and loves you very well and so much, but at the same time, he wants excellence out of you, so he demands it," Awbrey said of Tang. "He's really taught me a way to get the most out of people, to set a standard, to get expectations out of that, but to love you through it."
Coach Tang actually officiated Awbrey and his wife Savannah's wedding in May, saying Tang told him he was honored to do it. Awbery joked he's going to steal all of Tang's coaching strategies, even those that apply off the court, when coaching his own team in Wichita.
He and his wife plan to move to their new home in August, and Awbrey's excited for the school year to start.