McGavock boys basketball hires former Fisk assistant Russell Acklin as coach

McGavock has turned to Russell Acklin to lead its boys basketball program, hiring the Nashville native and Pearl-Cohn graduate Wednesday.

Acklin takes over for Bryson Randolph, who lasted one season with Raiders.

"Coach Acklin has a wealth of experience in coaching and skill development," McGavock principal Bruce Jackson said in a press release. "I am confident he will modernize the Raiders program and continue to move it in the direction that has been associated with McGavock’s athletics."

Acklin makes the move from the college game to high school after spending the past five seasons as the assistant head coach at Fisk under Kenny Anderson. Anderson, a former Georgia Tech All-American and NBA standout resigned from Fisk in April after six seasons. Fisk hired former Whites Creek and Tennessee State standout Jeremiah Crutcher last week.

Acklin helped guide Fisk to a 14-16 overall record last season. He was named Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men’s basketball assistant coach of the year for 2023-24 and helped develop All-GCAC players Jayden Lockett and Tyon Thompson.

"I am blessed to have this opportunity as new head coach," Acklin said in a release. "I will use this opportunity as a tool to shape and mold these young men to be great student-athletes on and off the court."

Acklin inherits a McGavock program that struggled in Randolph's only season. The Raiders finished 5-19. McGavock has won 14 games in the past four seasons. The program's last 20-win season was in 2019-20, and the last state tournament appearance was in 1976.

"The ‘We-vs-Me’ mantra will be the backbone of creating a team environment and system that will lead to success on the court and in the classroom," Acklin said.

It's the second straight day a boys high school basketball coach has been hired in the Nashville area. Ross Fleming IV was hired by Hume-Fogg Tuesday , taking over from Barry Mangrum, who retired in May.

Reach sports writer George Robinson at georgerobinsontheleafchronicle.com and on the X platform (formerly Twitter) @Cville_Sports.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: McGavock boys basketball hires former Fisk assistant Russell Acklin as coach