Behind the Bench with Corey Acord

After graduating from West Virginia University in 2020, my wife and I decided it was best to return home to Beckley. She had a job lined up after graduating from law school at a law office in town. I reached out to every college athletic department and men’s basketball program in the surrounding area. I did not get many responses and amid a pandemic, there were not many people looking to hire. But I did get a response from WVU Tech’s former coach, James Long. He gave me an opportunity to be on the staff when no one else would and to learn from himself, Coach Wilmore, and Coach Sturm. The culture they were building, striving to be better every day, and having an impact on their players' lives, made me want to continue that with them. 

Fall 2020

Scouting opponents, film breakdown with the team and individual players, team strength and conditioning workouts, individual player skill development, and teaching/helping players understand the game of basketball. I also oversee the gym, weight room, and turf room schedules for the university. 

I have two. First is winning the conference championship my first year on staff in 2021. That season was riddled with covid issues whether that be game cancellations, not being able to be around the team much outside of practice, or not even being able to practice at times. But that was a tough group of guys who stuck together and won a conference championship. 

My second is beating Alice Lloyd in the second round of the conference tournament my second year in 2022. Alice Lloyd was a tough team, and they beat us by two in the final seconds of the game a month before in Pippa Passas. We had lost a few of our top guys due to injury late in the year and guys were put into roles that they typically weren’t in, but they stepped up big time. I was very proud of our team that day.   

Basketball. I have always loved the game since I was a little kid and feel it is the ultimate team game.

2016. Cavaliers at Warriors. Game 7.

LeBron James. When I was in elementary school, I visited my great uncle in Cleveland. I was just starting to like basketball and LeBron James was everywhere in Cleveland (billboards, commercials, etc.). He was becoming the face of the NBA at the exact time I was becoming a fan. I think he plays the game the right way and is a good family man.  

I played basketball, baseball, and soccer for Woodrow Wilson High School.

Rewarding.

My nickname in T-Ball was Flash. So, I’ll stick with that one.

Glory Road is my favorite sports movie. The movie is about Texas Western winning the NCAA championship in 1966. 

I have a dog named Fenway. He is named after Fenway Park in Boston. My wife and I are Red Sox fans.

“Things turn out the best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out” – John Wooden

WVU Tech is a special place with a lot of great people. Being from Beckley, I am excited to see this university continue to help the community and kids, particularly in southern West Virginia. Family is important in this part of the state and WVU Tech gives kids an opportunity to be closer to home while pursuing their education. We have made a lot of progress and I look forward to seeing how we continue to grow from here. Go Golden Bears!