Behind every good team is a good coach. This holds true for the women’s basketball team at North Atlanta High School. To find out more about the man who leads the team, make your way to the dandelion-yellow sixth floor of the 10th Grade Academy and then head to Room 6163. Inside this classroom you’ll see a teacher’s desk scattered with basketball-related papers. There are sketches of plays, team photos and lists of team-related matters. Clearly this is a man who concerns himself with the sport. Come in this room and you’ll find a dedicated teacher and coach. Come to Room 6163 and you’ll find Coach Guy Brown.

Brown has taught and coached at North Atlanta for four years. Where coaching is concerned, he likes the different nature of relationships it brings. “I like it because you get to see the kids in a different way,” he said.

Prior to arriving North Atlanta, Brown taught and coached at Harper-Archer, where the women’s basketball team earned two city championships under his leadership. While coaching is something he loves, he acknowledges that there are downsides to the vocation. “It can be time-consuming. I’m not home as much but you have to do what you have to do,” he said.

For his bachelor’s degree, Brown graduated from Georgia State University where he double majored in sociology and science. Brown received his master’s in education from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Ark.

When asked about what qualities all good sports coaches must have, Brown delivered a well-thought-out response. “A coach should be optimistic, caring, passionate and creative,” he said.

His players stress that he is a patient presence in practice and during games. “I had never played basketball before so his patience and individual attention have really helped my game,” said sophomore Amari Atterberry.

It’s evident Brown possesses the needed traits that will bring success. “I work really hard at this. I’m always thinking about basketball,” he said.

A work ethic like this will take him far toward his career goals and where these are concerned, he is very specific. “I see myself here at North Atlanta for about two more years, because my real goal is to be an assistant principal one day,” he said. “The only thing that could change these plans is if I win the lottery, of course,” Brown jokes.

Whether he ever wins the lottery or not, members of the women’s basketball team hope he remains at North Atlanta for a long time. Brown’s passion for the game and commitment to excellence guarantees plenty of wins and important life lessons for the Warriors.