Amber Guffey, the new head coach of the women’s basketball team at Daytona State College, spent most of her career playing and coaching within a three-minute radius between two schools in the Midwest. Ready for a change, she decided it was time to move 800 miles away to a peninsula far from her roots.
Her story began as a standout player at Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky, where she played as a Division 1 athlete. After her playing days, she transitioned into coaching, starting as a graduate assistant at Murray State. This initial step into coaching was the start of a new beginning.
Following her stint as a grad assistant at Murray High School, she took on the role of an assistant coach. Her time there was brief, as the head coach at Murray High was soon appointed as the head coach at Murray State and brought her along. For the next six and a half years, she honed her coaching skills and developed a deep understanding of the game, which ultimately led her here, to Daytona State College.
Her inspiration to pursue a career in coaching stems from her father, who was a high school coach for nearly 30 years. “I would say in general what inspired me the most is my dad,” said Guffey. Growing up, she spent hours in the gym, witnessing firsthand the profound impact her father had on his players. “It’s these things that you realize, and usually see years down the road, and in different life events,” said Guffey. This experience, coupled with the influence of her own coaches throughout her life, fueled her passion for coaching. She appreciates the unique challenges that come with coaching at the community college level, “With a smaller staff, you’re generally put in a position to do more than you would at a higher level,” said Guffey.
Her coaching philosophy is deeply influenced by her playing career at Murray State University, where she played under three different head coaches in four years. “The thing about all three of my coaches at Murray State, is that they were all different, so you know I could take some things from each one like, ‘hey I like that, or you know maybe I don’t like that as much’ but that’s what you learn when you’re a player,” said Guffey. Each coach brought a different approach and perspective. The most significant takeaways came from her head coach at Murray State, whose influence continues to shape her coaching style today. “I was able to take a lot of things from her that I’ll use here, just because I’ve seen the things that she’s done, and I know that have worked,” said Guffey.
At the core of her coaching values is character. She believes in the importance of doing what’s right. “my girls will often hear me say, ‘Do the next right thing,’” said Guffey. Sophomore Kyaija Stewart resonates with this statement, reflecting on her growth since her freshman year. “Coach Guffey is caring and supportive, always mindful of our mental health and never overworking us,” said Stewart. “You can tell she loves the game. She’s very understanding and tries to bring out the best in each of us.”
Photo by Mia Alexander
Guffey fosters a strong sense of community and teamwork through character coach meetings, where they discuss different topics relating to them both as a team and as individuals, such as conflict, gratitude, etc. “We talk about how we want to run our team and communicate with each other, so there aren’t any blurred lines,” said Ceylone Reighard-Brooks “She just really helps us become better women.” Coach Guffey furthers these values through community service, where they go as a team to do a project each month.
Photo by Mia Alexander
Academics are crucial for her team. She encourages players to use the Academic Support Center and mandates study hall hours. When recruiting, she looks for players who fit the team’s style and possess qualities like hard work and approachability. “We play a certain style, so we have to recruit to that style,” said Guffey. Her advice to aspiring players is clear. “You get out of something what you put into it.”
With her strong commitment and motivation, Coach Guffey is prepared to lead Daytona State College’s women’s basketball team to new heights. Her desire to succeed and help her players be their best drives her to continually improve herself. This mutual drive for excellence creates a dynamic and supportive environment for both coach and players. “Coach Guffey is knowledgeable and reliable,” said Reighard-Brooks. “She sees people’s potential and the good in everyone.”