Mercer University’s men’s and women’s basketball programs will welcome new head coaches for the 2024-25 season.
Athletics department officials announced on March 11 that they will not renew the contract of men’s basketball head coach Greg Gary. Days earlier, on March 9, women’s basketball head coach Susie Gardner announced her resignation to pursue other coaching opportunities.
Athletics Director Jim Cole thanked both coaches for their leadership in separate news releases about the changes.
Gary took over the reins of the Mercer men’s basketball program in 2019 and has compiled an 81-79 record over the last five seasons. The Bears registered winning records in each of Gary’s first two years at the helm, including an 18-win season that culminated with the program’s first appearance in the Southern Conference Tournament championship game.
“He has led the Bears with great integrity, and everyone at Mercer University is grateful for his service and his commitment to our student-athletes who have represented Mercer at the highest level on the court, as well as in the classroom and in the Macon community,” Cole said. “I wish him the very best of luck in his future endeavors.”
Gardner is the all-time winningest basketball coach — men or women — in Mercer history. She compiled a 247-189 record in 14 seasons as head coach of the Bears. From 2010-24, she led the team to nine Southern Conference regular season and tournament championships and eight postseason appearances, including four NCAA Tournament berths.
“Mercer will be forever indebted to Susie Gardner for the incredible impact that she had on our student-athletes, both on and off of the court, over the course of her 14-year career here in Macon,” Cole said. “She has made significant contributions to the sport of women’s basketball, and we could not be more proud of all of her accomplishments.”
Nationwide searches are underway to fill both positions.
