The Cassville High School boys basketball team will have a new coach for the 2025-2026 season, as the district has hired Mike Ray to lead the program beginning July 1.

Ray brings 26 years of experience in education and 16 years as a head basketball coach. Most recently, he served as the assistant principal and athletic director for the East Newton school district.

“I consider myself a dedicated educator and passionate coach,” Ray said. “I am looking forward to teaching and coaching at Cassville as a Wildcat. I have great respect for Cassville’s school district and athletic department.”

A former player and coach in the Big 8 Conference, Ray is eager to join Wildcat Nation. He values hard work, discipline, and lifelong learning — both in the classroom and on the court, he said. Ray’s mission is to develop athletes who compete at the highest level while fostering grit, self-discipline and a strong work ethic.

“I am committed to developing athletes’ skills,” Ray said. “My mission for our basketball team is to equip the student-athlete with a work ethic to compete in every aspect of their lives. I strive to use athletics to give student-athletes an arena to compete at the highest level while fostering self discipline, grit and being a lifelong learner. I pride myself on being a life-learner and hope to instill my belief in the classroom and on the court.”

In addition to coaching boys basketball, Ray will serve as the teacher for the district’s Success Academy program. The Success Academy began during the 2022-2023 school year and was designed to provide a supportive, one-on-one learning environment for students who need a nontraditional approach to education.