Nate Macy, right, will succeed Dwight Gunnare, left, as the next head coach of the Casper College Lady Thunderbirds. (via Casper College)

CASPER, Wyo. — Casper College women’s basketball assistant coach Nate Macy will succeed outgoing legendary 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.

In spring 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.â€

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 to 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 to 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 to 2012. In fall 2012 and through spring 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 summer 2017, Macy stepped onto the Thunderbird Gym court to join Gunnare, who had been head coach at the program since the 2008–09 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,†Macy said.

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.

But for Gunnare, Macy saves his highest praise: “Coach Gunnare has been a mentor to me. He’s one hell of a coach.â€

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.â€

“I am thrilled to stay here. It was a perfect choice for me to continue to stay here,†he said.

Macy was quick to praise Casper College, which he said was great for many reasons, including the 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,†Macy said.