Georgetown College men’s basketball coach Chris Briggs was faced with a task he has not addressed since day one of assuming the position as the Tigers leader. With the announcing of assistant James Jackson as the new GC women’s basketball coach this past spring, Briggs was in search for a full time assistant.
He did not have to look far out of the state’s talent pool as he adds former Transylvania University guard Barrett Meyer and University of Kentucky post Marquis Estill. Both have been coaching for the past several years in different capacities and bring a fresh skill set to add with Briggs and former GC guard Matt Walls.
First, looking at his three assistants, a common thread already exists – all three played for 11th Region powerhouses.
Estill was at Madison Central High School from 1996-00, helping the Indians to a state tournament appearance and finishing as the 2000 Kentucky Gatorade Player of the Year and a Mr. Basketball candidate. Barrett played for Franklin County High School from 2005-09, winning two district titles. Walls guided Scott County High School to the 2007 KHSAA state title and played from 2003-07.
“This is a great young staff, and a very skilled group of highly gifted basketball coaches,” said GC coach Chris Briggs. “I’m really excited to get rolling with this staff, and I think we will have a lot of success together.”
Meyer finished his days as a Flyer and stayed in central Kentucky, playing for coach Brian Lane at Transylvania University. In his first season with the Pioneers, Meyer received the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year honors. He finished his career as a three-time HCAC All-Conference honoree and holds the HCAC in-game record for most made threes (11).
The Pioneers won a HCAC title in Meyer’s four seasons and also made two NCAA tournament appearances.
Upon graduation, he joined Lane as an assistant, where he has been the past four seasons.
“Barrett is a great student of the game and has a great mind for breaking things down,” Briggs said. “He has been key to many successful Transylvania teams. He’s a young, energetic, hardworking coach that will be a huge asset to us in all areas.”
Estill and Briggs are no stranger to each other, having been at UK together. Briggs was a student assistant from 2001-04.
As a Wildcat, Estill played three seasons – averaging 9.3 points per game. His senior year he was NCAA All-Region, All-SEC and All-SEC Tournament. The post player also added another level to the storied Kentucky program, becoming the all-time leader in field goal percentage with a 60.13 average.
He attended training camp with the then New Jersey Nets and also played for the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks summer camp. He spent time overseas playing in Italy, Japan, Dubai and Argentina.
Estill ended his playing days and began coaching in 2012-13 as a graduate assistant under UK coach John Calipari. He also served as an assistant for Dunbar High School in 2015-16 as the Bulldogs went 33-6 winning the KHSAA state title. This past season he was on the sidelines for Midway University as the Eagles made history by starting men’s athletic programs.
“Marquis and I go way back and to have the connection come back around for us to work together now is pretty special,” Briggs said. “I have full confidence that he will help develop and elevate our post play, which is an area of our game that is already very strong.
“I know Marquis will be a phenomenal recruiter.”
Georgetown will enter the 2017-18 season looking for a national record 27th straight NAIA tournament appearance. The Tigers are 159-48 under Briggs with one national title in two championship game appearances in past five seasons.
Jenny Elder
Georgetown College
