The Apprentice School

Michael Gainey Jr. enters his third season as head men's basketball coach at The Apprentice School, having led the Builders to a United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) national championship in 2025, the second half of back-to-back titles, and a New South Athletic Conference (NSAC) championship in 2026. Since being promoted in May 2024, he has compiled a 36-16 record (.692).

The 2024 and 2025 titles mark the second back-to-back national championship run in program history, after 2002 and 2003. In 2024-25, Gainey guided the Builders to a 19-7 record and the national title, with Adrion Wall earning USCAA National Player of the Year honors.

The Builders then went 17-9 in 2025-26 and claimed the NSAC Championship. Three players earned USCAA All-American recognition: Shamon Rosser (first team), Jahlil Hope (second team) and Devon Brown (second team).

Gainey spent seven seasons as a Builders assistant before taking over the program, most recently as director of player development. He helped develop 15 USCAA All-Americans and was on the staff for the Builders' run to the national quarterfinals in 2022, the semifinals in 2023 and the 2024 USCAA National Championship.

A native of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Gainey was a member of Rocky Mount High School's 2012 3A state championship team before playing two seasons at The Apprentice School. He was named Most Improved Player as a freshman and set a USCAA tournament record with five blocks in a single game during the 2015-16 season. He graduated in 2018 and works full-time as a production planner for Newport News Shipbuilding.

Gainey is married to Ieshia Small Gainey, who serves as the assistant athletic director and head women's basketball coach at The Apprentice School.

Gainey continues to build the Builders' championship tradition while preparing student-athletes for success on the court and careers at Newport News Shipbuilding.