CARROLLTON, GA –  With each ending comes a new beginning. As head varsity boys basketball coach Tim Criswell wrapped up his last season at Carrollton High School this year, assistant coach Don Bray was gearing up for his first season as head coach.

The CHS alumnus said he is looking forward to his first year as head basketball coach. “I’m excited about the work the kids are putting in and the work we will put in to make sure this is a special season,” he said.

Bray has been an assistant coach at CHS for 10 years. He coached with the girls basketball team for six years before transitioning to assist Coach Criswell and the boys team.

David Brooks, CHS principal, said he is excited that Coach Bray will be taking over as head coach.

“As a graduate of CHS, Coach Bray was a tremendous student athlete and was well respected among his peers. He was a three sports athlete, football, basketball and track and was a leader in all three,” Brooks said.  “As a coach at CHS he has coached football, girls basketball and served as the top assistant to Coach Criswell on the boys basketball staff.  Coach Bray has a servant’s heart, a tremendous work ethic  and great desire to give back to the community.  He genuinely cares about the kids he teaches and coaches and serves as a mentor to many.  We are excited he is taking over the program.”

Paul Fitz-Simons, athletic director, said he knows Bray will do a great job because he’s seen it before. “Coach Bray has been a longtime coach for the Trojan Nation and a leader in the athletic department. He has been fiercely loyal to Carrollton and helped weather much adversity,” he said.

“During the 2017-18 season he was instrumental in guiding the Trojans to 16 wins in the absence of Coach Tim Criswell.  He is an expert in scouting, game planning and relationships which I have all been able to witness first hand.  More than that, he is adored by students here at CHS for consistently going above and beyond to meet their needs while also drawing a hard line to hold them accountable.  Trojan basketball is in excellent hands under Coach Bray.”