Mckinley Girls Program's New Era: Ryan Gracia tabbed as head coach

Photo byGene Simmons Ohsfbmedia File Photo

Canton, OH- McKinley girls basketball program has a new leader he is Ryan Gracia, a long time name and face in the Mckinley community, this move came after Bryant Bowden step down to pursue other interest of leadership, also the Canton City School Board voted to approve the hire on June 10.

Gracia has a long lineage of coaching boys and girls AAU, skill development, and mentoring the youth in surrounding communities outside of Mckinley, a graduate of Canton South High School, he has high school and college coaching experience.

He has made college stops at Walsh University as an assistant coach until moving to the high school level making stops at Canton South, Glenoak, East Canton and this would be making his second tour at Mckinley High in his previous role where he was an assistant under then head coach Keith Noftz.

East Canton had the pleasure of his services when former Mckinley standout Keith Mcleod took leadership and hired Gracia as a varsity assistant.

He is no stranger to the game of basketball by any means and this just furthers his experience in a huge role that would by all means would bring good leadership to a program that has not seen a state title since the departure of Pam Davis in 2010.

Canton Mckinley Athletics official press release here