For the last 22 years, Rich Gray occupied the second seat on the King’s College bench. He was granted as much leeway as any assistant coach could have when it comes to diagramming plays, organizing practices and pounding the recruiting trail with late nights searching for the next up-and-coming prospect that could help the Monarchs basketball program.
On Thursday afternoon, King’s College announced Rich Gray will be the interim men’s basketball coach for the upcoming season. He takes over for JP Andrejko who announced his retirement Wednesday afternoon.
Gray was an assistant since the beginning of the 2003-04 season, and was Andrejko’s right-hand man through the ups and downs a college basketball season presents. Now he gets the opportunity to be in charge of the program, applying the knowledge Andrejko passed along as well as implementing his own style as he sees fit.
“I am looking forward to it,” Gray said. “I loved working with (Andrejko), I learned so much. He is as good as they get. The school has always been so supportive and we have really good kids.”
Gray inherits a team where the junior class is experienced, balanced by a quality senior class with some first-year players that have the potential to immediately make an impact. Gray will now mold them together and prepare them for the rigors of the MAC Freedom.
It helps that Gray, who has been in charge of recruiting the last 20 years, had a hand in bringing them to King’s.
“I’ve been in charge of recruiting, that is what the evaluation process is all about,” Gray said. “Bring in quality guys who fit the program not just athletically but academically, as well. We are really proud of our team GPA.”
Gray already met with the team and had an opportunity to get them in the gym with the NCAA granting teams eight days to get workouts in before the official start date of practice Oct. 15. Those team activities can range from on the court workouts or weight lifting sessions.
“I believe it will be a seamless transition,” Gray said. “It definitely helps I have been doing this for so long. This is an opportunity that doesn’t come around often. I’m going to work really hard and hopefully put a good product out there.”
Andrejko elected to retire after 309 career victories and 24 years as the head coach. He is excited for Gray to get the chance to be the head coach of a college program.
“I would say as a head coach, the things that are most important to you are loyalty and a coach that wants to be a head coach,” Andrejko said. “For 22 years Rich has been nothing but loyal and he has improved as a coach tremendously. This is just a great opportunity for him. He has an unbelievable relationship with the players. They all love him and will play hard for him.”
Originally Published: September 25, 2025 at 2:33 PM EDT