Central High Girls Basketball Coach Bray Resigns

Updated on CommercialAppeal.com

Calling it “one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made,” Central High girls basketball coach Niki Bray announced her resignation on Tuesday, ending the career of one of the top coaches in the city.
Bray — who has been at Central for nine years — said she submitted her letter of resignation to Shelby County Schools on Monday.

She has accepted a position at Wright Medical Technologies in Arlington, where she’ll work as an instructional designer starting after the new year.

Bray recently earned her master’s degree in leadership and policy studies from the University of Memphis and plans to continue working toward a doctoral degree.

“The kids did well (when she told them),” Bray said. “There were some tears. But they understood. And (Central principal) Mr. (Greg) McCullough has been very supportive.

“This (new job) gives me a chance to have a better livelihood for my family. It gives me tremendous flexibility, and I’ll have a chance to do some things that I haven’t been able to do.
“I’m looking forward to starting a new phase in my life.”

Bray coached the Warriors to the AAA state championship in 2011 and leaves with a career record of 257-128, including a 213-64 mark at Central. Her last game on the bench was Monday’s 69-44 loss to Hamilton.

That defeat — Central’s first to the Wildcats in Bray’s tenure — dropped her team to 4-5, but Bray said her decision had nothing to do with basketball.

“I have had offer after offer after offer to leave in the past,” she said. “The Lord is leading me in a new direction.”

Bray was a high school standout at West Memphis before going on to play at the University of Memphis. She previously had coached at Airways Middle School and Wooddale High before taking over at Central.

“Basketball’s been a part of my life every day since I was 8 or 9 years old,” she said. “I’m a busybody and I’m anxious to see how things go. If (the new job’s) not for me, then who knows down the road?”

Assistant Brady Benjamin will coach the Lady Warriors through the end of the season.