Lady Mavs Coach Mitch Cupples: ‘Blessing and privilege’ to be at AC
Anderson County Lady Mavericks Coach Mitch Cupples instructs his players during last week’s matchup against Union County. Cupples was named head coach of the Lady Mavericks in 2021. (photo:Tony Cox )
Cupples, who was named Anderson County High School’s head girls basketball coach in December 2021, replaced Nicky Anosike.
When he took the job, Cupples was no stranger to basketball fans at Anderson County High, having taught at the school for nearly two decades. He previously worked in the boys basketball program, serving as an assistant to former Coach Derek Wallace.
He hails from West Tennessee, but has deep roots in the Anderson County area. His wife, Karen, who played both volleyball and basketball for the Lady Mavericks, is the principal at Fairview Elementary School.
The couple has two daughters, Kaitlyn and Kristen, who were standout athletes at ACHS. Both were all-state volleyball players. Kristen was also an all-state basketball player in high school before playing collegiately at King University.
Upon being hired as the girls basketball coach at the school, Cupples said it was “an honor, a blessing and a privilege” to be at Anderson County, where he could see all-state pictures of his wife and kids.
Basketball has always been a big part of Cupples’ life. He played in 113 games during his college career at Tennessee Tech.
“When I grew up, playing basketball was just something that you did,” Cupples said. “I was blessed enough to play at Tennessee Tech.”
As a player for Dyersburg High, Cupples attended a team camp at Indiana University, where he met legendary college basketball Coach Bob Knight (who passed away in late 2023).
He wanted to play for the Hoosiers and Coach Knight, but wasn’t quite good enough, he said. Still, the camp was a life-changing experience for Cupples, who has guided the Lady Mavs to a 13-8 record as of Jan. 30.
“I learned about accountability and teamwork,” Cupples said. “It was a great experience and I learned some fabulous life lessons.”
Along with basketball, the biggest thing in Cupples’ life is his faith and spirituality, he said.
“My faith in Jesus is important to me.” he said. “It has allowed me to go on missions to Ireland and Alaska.”
Basketball has also provided some opportunities for Cupples.
“I tell people all the time that basketball has opened so many doors for me,” he said.
Prior to coming to Anderson County, Cupples was part of a state championship team at Pickett County. When that team returned home after winning, the town had a parade.
“Football is big here and basketball is just as big in Pickett County,” he said. “High school basketball is really big in West Tennessee.”
Since coming to East Tennessee, Cupples has coached middle school boys basketball at Oliver Springs (1996-2001) and throughout Anderson County.
He coached at Lake City Middle School from 2001-04 and at Norris 2006-07.