Two sibling coaches are turning their dreams into a reality while taking FHU basketball to new heights

For Freed-Hardeman University Men’s Basketball Head Coach Drew Stutts and Women’s Basketball Head Coach Abby Stutts, basketball has always been a big part of their lives. That passion has led them to FHU, where they are shaping the next generation and taking the basketball programs to new heights. While they both have had a lot of success, they have not forgotten the people who helped them along the way.

“ I would say multiple people have played a big role for me,” said Abby. “ It started with our dad and my brother as well. They both were significant coaches in my life. I was also really blessed through AAU and school to have great coaches. A coach who gave me an early opportunity right after high school was David Heal at Lexington High School in Alabama. I was fresh out of high school, and he gave me the opportunity to learn from him.”

Although the Stutts siblings have had different paths to FHU, they are making the most of their opportunities. This season, Abby led the Lady Lions to a 28-6 record while Drew’s team finished the regular season with a 30-6 record. Together, they have built a winning culture and reached the NAIA Round of 16.  Although their focus is on winning a championship, they are embracing the chance to coach at the same school.

“ It’s really cool,” Drew said. “ We’ve been doing it together for a while, and to do it together at any level is really fun. For us to both be head coaches and have success, it’s just been a really unique experience. It’s one we are trying to soak up and enjoy. You never know how often this will continue. As you get older, the opportunity to enjoy each moment is really important.”

While wins are a key stat, the Stutts are also focusing on putting their players in a better position for life after graduation. Basketball has allowed them to do that while also giving players an experience they will never forget.

“ It’s much bigger than basketball,” Abby said. “ I think we both believe this is the opportunity God has given us to impact people. I know this sport has impacted both of us. It ultimately has been about the coaches who made an impact on us and helped cultivate the people we have become. Now we get to do that for our athletes as well. We get to spend a ton of time with these people. It’s definitely life lessons they are learning daily.”

For the Stutts, it's not only about the life lessons leanred a long the way but also ensuring that their players leave the program having had a positive experience.

“ It’s really important to me that they have a good experience,” Drew said. “I didn’t have the best experience. I played two years of college basketball. The experiences I had taught me a lot of lessons, but they are not lessons I’m really excited to look back on. I want my guys to enjoy it and show up every day loving who they are, doing life with, and playing ball with.

With the Stutts set to hit the road for the round of 16, they are on the verge of etching their name into the record books. Since they set foot on campus, they both raised the expectations, which has been no different this year. Their hope is that later this week, the NIAI tournament will end with them hosting a trophy and more memories that their players will never forget.