Ray Likely Interview

"It's a pretty surreal feeling and I'm incredibly thankful for the opportunity," Likely said. "For years he's referred to me as a player coach.  At the end of my senior year, he asked me to think about actually becoming a coach.  I found my confirmation that this was what I needed to do through prayer and talk with my dad."

Likely graduated in May with a degree from Carson-Newman in accounting.  He finished his four-year career for the Eagles with 175 career points and 137 rebounds as one of C-N's more reliable role players.

"It was obvious to me over the last couple years that Ray had a great feel for the game," Benson said. "He took on a role that enabled him to look at things from a coach's perspective and he embraced that role.  When I finally approached him about becoming a coach, he decided he wanted to go down this path to see if college coaching is his place in the world."

That role has enable Likely to make coaching decisions when he was a player at C-N.  It was Likely who called the play that helped the Eagles defeat Newberry two years ago at Eleazer Arena in overtime 89-83.  With 14 seconds left, the Eagles got the ball into the high post to Cody Henegar (South Pittsburg, Tenn.).  A bounce down to the right block found a cutting Collin Crane (Knoxville, Tenn.) wide open from point blank range to tie the game at 71.

"This is all a credit to coach Benson and coach Williams," Likely said. "They've done an exceptional job of teaching me and others the game.  So that's what I want to do, teach the game and make a difference in people's lives.  I want to influence kids to go down the right path."

Benson indicated that Likely will be a party to all aspects of Carson-Newman's coaching process, but he especially wants the recent college grad to focus on drawing the next crop of players to Mossy Creek.

"Ray will be involved in every area from scouting to practice to recruiting," Benson said. "We really want to develop his recruiting skills so that will be an even heavier aspect to his job.  We really believe he can leave here and become a coach at another school on down the road."

Eagle fans can follow Likely on Twitter @coachlikelycnu.