Kelvin Gaines was named Central State University's assistant men's basketball coach in September of 2021.
Prior to joining the Central State coaching staff, Gaines served five years as head men’s basketball coach at Southern State Community College. During his tenure, Gaines rejuvenated a program that originally did not have any returning players on the roster when he was hired. Gaines' staff immediately improved the program and received their first post season invitational appearance. Gaines recruited and developed three USCAA All American Honorable mention performers, including the nations leading scorer, while placing multiple others in 4-year university opportunities.
Prior to Southern State, Gaines spent time at Linden McKinley STEM Academy in Columbus, Ohio from 2014 to 2016 in which they had their first winning season and tournament win in over a decade.
Gaines began his coaching career at the School for Creative and Performing Arts as a varsity assistant. He made another stop at SCPA in 2007 as assistant varsity and boys middle school coach. He also started an AAU program in cohesion with the school program. Gaines has also worked with USA basketball Youth Academy and Athletes of Tomorrow Clinics.
Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Gaines was a standout player at SCPA. He went on to play collegiately at Cincinnati State Technical College in which they captured a conference championship and NJCAA National Tournament appearance.
After Cincinnati State, Gaines transferred to Central State University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology in 2010.
