Assistant Coach Macy to succeed legendary head coach Gunnare July 1

Thunderbird Women’s Basketball team Head Coach Dwight Gunnare, left, and Assistant Coach Nate Macy watch the team as they celebrate winning the first round of the NJCAA Women’s Basketball National Tournament. (Courtesy photo)

Casper College Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach Nate Macy will succeed outgoing Head Coach Dwight Gunnare. Macy will take the reins and begin his run as a head coach for a storied Thunderbird basketball program on July 1.

Early Days

In the spring of 2017, Macy applied for the assistant coaching position at Casper College after seeing it posted online. He decided to apply, he said, because after researching, he found out that Gunnare “… had a great record and a great program.” The Casper College program “… was something I wanted to be a part of and also something I could help take to another level,” noted Macy.

Nate Macy holds the trophy for the 2008 NCAA Division II Men’s Regional Championship won by the University of Oklahoma’s basketball team. (Courtesy photo)

Macy attended MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas, where he played on the NAIA Division 1 football team his freshman year, but basketball was always his first love. After his stint with the football team, he was a student assistant on the women’s basketball team at Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, from 2004-2005. Then, while a graduate student at the University of Central Oklahoma,he was an assistant on the men’s team at UCO from 2007-2010. While there, Macy helped the team win three Lone Star North Championships, one Lone Star Championship, three NCAA Division II National Tournament appearances, and one NCAA Division II Elite Eight appearance under head coach Terry Evans.

Macy was the assistant boys’ varsity basketball coach at Deer Creek High School in the greater Oklahoma City area from 2010-2012. In the fall of 2012 and through the spring of 2017, he was the assistant coach at NOC. While working under NOC head coach Greg Krause, he helped guide the Lady Mavs to four Region 2 tournament appearances in five years.

In the summer of 2017, Macy stepped onto the Thunderbird Gym court to join Gunnare, who had been head coach at the program since the 2008-2009 season. Together, the two built on an already successful program. Since coming to Casper College, he has helped guide the Lady T-Birds to a current 211-36 record. The Lady T-Birds have won seven straight North Division championships, five Region 9 championships, and six National Tournament appearances in that time.

Before elaborating on Gunnare, Macy made it a point to recognize those who have helped him in his career from Casper College, including former President Darren Divine, retired Vice President of Student Services Kim Byrd, current Head Volleyball Coach Angel Sharman, former men’s Head Coach Dan Russell, Interim President Brandon Kosine, Vice President of Student Services Linda Toohey, Athletic Director Paul Marble, and the search committee, … “for allowing me this great opportunity to lead Casper College,” said Macy.

Others that Macy wanted to spread the love to are those from his time in Oklahoma who helped him along the way, including Bill Farley, Mike Nunley, Becky Cole, and coaches Todd Steidley, Frank Piccirillo, Terry Henderson, Lee Guess, retired dentist Jim Highfill and … “many other coaches, administrators, and colleagues that have helped along the way,” including the head coaches he previously worked under: Krause, Matt Bailey, and Evans. “I wouldn’t be where I’m at without those guys. So I definitely want to give them a shoutout for getting me to where I am,” he said.

The Casper College Women’s Basketball team, with Assistant Coach Nate Macy, surprised Head Coach Dwight Gunnare with a celebration following his 500th win as a women’s basketball coach on November 26, 2022. (Courtesy photo)

But for Gunnare, Macy saves his highest praise: “Coach Gunnare has been a mentor to me. He’s one hell of a coach.” According to Macy, Gunnare is able to build meaningful relationships with the players and everybody on campus. “That’s been unbelievable to watch and be a part of. It helped me grow as a coach,” Macy said. “I would say the other thing about Coach Gunnare is how he cares. Dwight is one of the most caring and humble people I’ve ever met. And he’s genuine.” Macy also called Gunnare a … “class act guy”… “in everything he does, he is just a tremendous person of character.”

Glad to Stay

“I am thrilled to stay here. It was a perfect choice for me to continue to stay here,” he noted. Macy was quick to praise Casper College, which he said was great for many reasons, including the unbelievable customer service, everybody’s willingness to help others, and the academic and administrative sides. “Everybody’s willing to help everybody succeed. I think that’s a big part of why all athletics are successful at Casper College,” said Macy.

Macy and his wife, Rachel, are also happy with the community they call home. “The community support at our games is unbelievable, and that’s part of why I love it here. We also call it home because it’s where we started our family. There are no better people who are more genuine than Casper and Wyoming people. The people are very nice here, and everybody we’ve met in the community is polite and actually cares to meet you. I think that’s very important as far as the community goes.”

“We are excited for Nate to take the reins and carry on many of the outstanding traditions we have in the women’s basketball program at Casper College. He has been dedicated to the program and our athletes. I am sure he will do a fantastic job,” said Toohey.

“Go red, go white! Coach Macy is a tried and true, loyal Casper College guy. I am very confident that he will continue the tradition that Coach Gunnare has established,” said Marble. “We have an amazing women’s basketball program, and Coach Macy is the right person to keep it moving ahead,” he added.

Nate Macy poses with his wife, Rachel, and children Ryker, left, and Xander, center. They are holding the trophies for NJCAA Northwest Plains District Champion and the NJCAA Region 9 Championship for the 2023-2024 season. Macy also has the basketball net he cut down after the Lady Thunderbirds won. (Courtesy photo)

Macy also garnered high praise from his current boss, Head Coach Gunnare. “I am so excited for Coach Macy to have the opportunity to be the head coach of our women’s basketball program. In my opinion, he has earned this opportunity and demonstrated all the attributes that will allow him to be a very successful head coach. I am confident that he will lead a program that Casper College and the community of Casper will be very proud of. I am looking forward to following his bright future!” Gunnare exclaimed.

Rachel and their two boys, Xander and Ryker, are a steady presence in Macy’s life. Macy knows that the life of a coach’s wife and children isn’t easy. “I just want to thank them for all the sacrifices they make for me in the coaching business. I wouldn’t be where I am without them,”he said. Parents Mark and Erika, as well as in-laws Bret and Kay Smith, support Macy. “It is a family business, and they understand it, which makes life much easier as a coach,” he noted.

Student Endorsements

Several former Lady T-Birds were happy to include words of support in Macy’s quest to become the next Thunderbird Women’s head coach, including Emily (Robertson) Lovato, Lucie Hoskova, Sandra Frau, and Mariona Cos Morales.

Jan. 15, 2022. Nate Macy is shown talking to the team during a timeout. He served as the interim head coach for that week while Head Coach Dwight Gunnare was gone. (Casper College photo)

“In one word, Coach Macy is transformative. He changed the game of basketball for me. He developed my skills and cared for me as an athlete in his program. This was life-changing in such a pivotal time for me as a female. His impact was felt even as an assistant coach, and I truly believe this impact will be even greater as a head coach,” noted Lovato.

“I have always appreciated his great attitude, work ethic, and support on and off the court, which has led me to become a better basketball player, teammate, and student,” said Hoskova.

Frau noted, “Coach Macy has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of the game. Beyond the basketball skills, Macy possesses a remarkable ability to inspire and motivate players, fostering a positive and cohesive team environment.”

“How he coached me and others who have played for him helped us all succeed at the next level. Coach Macy (will) step up and keep the great legacy going,” Cos Morales added.

Next Year Plans

Macy plans to maintain the high standards for women’s basketball and continue the tradition of bringing in quality athletes who are students first and athletes second.

Two stats that Macy is proud of concern academics. In the seven years he has served as assistant coach, the team has been in the top 20 of the National Junior College Athletic Association’s academic teams list. “The other stat that I’m proud of and take pride in, along with Coach Gunnare, is we’ve had a 100% graduation rate since I’ve been here,” Macy said. “Many of our ladies go on to National Collegiate Athletic Association-affiliated universities to play ball at that next level,” he added.

Next season, fans can expect to see Macy lead the Casper College Lady Thunderbirds. He’ll rely on some of the things he learned from Coach Gunnare, his mentor. But he will also throw in some “flair” and his own ideas about coaching the game. “We’re going to work hard and compete at a high level. We’re going to be disciplined on and off the court. And we’re going to take school and the game of basketball seriously.”