Benedictine basketball names McCray fifth head coach since 2021 (2024)

The head coaching position at one of Richmond’s cornerstone high school basketball programs has in recent years proven a revolving door.

Benedictine on Monday announced that former Shepherd University player Sidney McCray will become the Cadets fifth head basketball coach in the last three years.

McCray succeeds Bill Dooley, a former University of Richmond forward, assistant and head coach.

Dooley will continue to work in the Benedictine community with the school’s advancement department supporting endowment giving.

“Unfortunately, our family dynamic changed dramatically over the past six months, which necessitated this decision to step away from coaching,” Dooley said in a press release from the school.

“I am extremely confident that Coach McCray will do an outstanding job in every regard and be a terrific leader and mentor for these young men and those who will be a part of this special program in the future. I look forward to the opportunity of staying involved with Benedictine and helping the school and program continue to grow.”

Dooley took the job in April of 2023 and led the Cadets for one season, a campaign in which they went 20-7 and reached the state quarterfinals, where they fell to eventual state champs Paul VI 90-56.

“We are incredibly thankful to Coach Dooley for his commitment to the program over the last year,” said Del Smith, Benedictine head of school, in a press release.

“We saw tremendous results on the court and are looking forward to his continued work as part of the (Benedictine Schools of Richmond) community.”

Bradt stepped in following the departure of Matt Murrer, a Benedictine alumnus (Class of 2003) who coached the Cadets for the 2021-22 season before stepping down in August of 2022.

Murrer was a 1,000-point scorer who captained the Cadets to a VISAA title in 2003.

Murrer took over for Mark Royster, a Cadets assistant for more than 20 years before he became head coach in 2018.

Royster, the last Cadets coach to lead the program for successive seasons, stepped down in June 2021.

McCray is joining Benedictine in a full-time educational capacity as a learning specialist.

“It was clear from the first time we met that Coach McCray was well-positioned to build on the successful year that Coach Dooley had this winter,” said Benedictine schools of Richmond director of athletics Fran Pochily.

“Coach McCray is a proven winner and embodies all of the leadership traits we are looking for in a role model and leader of our Cadets.”

McCray earned his bachelor’s degree in fitness and exercise science from Shepherd. He joined the coaching staff at St. Maria Goretti Regional Catholic High School in Hagerstown, Md. in 2014, and was appointed head coach in 2018.

In six seasons at Goretti, McCray won 112 games, had 20 players move on to compete at the college level and and was named coach of the year twice.

At Goretti, McCray also served as director of athletics, dean of students and assistant athletic director and registrar.

“Coach McCray is going to be an excellent addition to both our counseling staff and athletics department,” Smith said.

“He has a proven track record of success in and out of the classroom. His appointment as a full-time learning specialist solidifies a key component (student support) of our strategic plan. Sidney will have an immediate positive impact on our community.”

Prior to his time at Goretti, McCray worked in the summit program for Washington County Public Schools for five years, where he aided students with special needs, learning accommodations and emotional and behavioral accommodations.

McCray also supported students involved in crisis situations while tutoring and mentoring students in and out of the classroom.

“It is truly an honor to be the next head basketball coach at Benedictine College Prep,” McCray said in the school’s press release.

“I am thrilled to meet the players, faculty, staff and Benedictine community, and I look forward to continuing the winning tradition here at BCP. This program has a lot of history, and I am thrilled to be a part of it. Special thanks to Coach Dooley, Del Smith and Fran Pochily for helping me throughout the process.”