Life University Athletics

A Raleigh, N.C. native, Daron Gipson Sr. is in his second year on staff for Life University Men’s Basketball.

Helping the Running Eagles to a 27-7 season record, a conference tournament title, and a sweet sixteen birth in the NAIA national tournament, he joined the staff last year after a successful stint at the University of North Carolina Asheville.

With the Bulldogs, he helped the program set a school-record 27 wins, capture both the Big South Regular Season and Tournament Championships and earn its' first NCAA Tournament berth since 2016. UNC Asheville reached consecutive Big South Championship games during his tenure, compiling a 49-20 record — second-best in North Carolina and tied for 27th nationally over that span.

Before UNC Asheville, Gipson coached for Garner Road basketball club (N.C.) and at Jordan High School (N.C.) as Head JV Coach and Assistant Varsity Coach, guiding the Falcons to a 2021–22 conference title. 

During his own career, Gipson Sr. played at Catawba Valley CC and Greensboro College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration. He is the proud father of his son, Daron Gipson jr.