'Just want to be a mentor': Tempe's Devin Kirby inspires as 23-year-old basketball coach

When Devin Kirby walked into the Tempe High School gym for the first practice this basketball season, players instantly looked up to him. Literally.

At 6 feet, 11 inches, Kirby commands the room.

The connection between coach and players was instant. Kirby is only 23, relatable, just removed from his college playing days at Montana State, and eager to teach and learn.

He can tell them stories all day about resilience, perseverance and work ethic just through his own high school experience at Chandler Basha, where he returned for his senior season after dislocating both knees and suffering broken bones in both legs on a fall from an alley-oop dunk that had him wheelchair bound for a while.

He ended up five years at Montana State, starting most of his time there. He realized helping kids carve their paths in life is what he wanted to do.

So, after Tom Saltzstein left Tempe in the summer to join PHH Prep's staff, and Gabriel Van Guse wasn't able to leave Washington to take over the program due to COVID-19, the job fell to Kirby. He now is leading the Buffaloes through a difficult transition year.

He is considered the youngest head varsity boys basketball coach in the state.

"The coaching tree that I was brought under, they inspired me," Kirby said.

That includes Basha coach Mike Grothaus, who is proud of the way Kirby is dedicating himselft to helping young people.

"He is a great young man and is so deserving because we all know how hard he works," Grothaus said. "As a player, he had great basketball IQ, really was able to see plays before they happened. He was always watching and studying basketball.

"Doesn't surprise me one bit he wanted to get into coaching. He will be a great coach."

Kirby realizes there is an interim tag to his title as coach of the Buffaloes this season, until Van Guse can return next season.

But he's making the most of it, despite a 7-13 record and a season that has been interrupted at times by COVID. The Buffs had one game canceled and another rescheduled.

"I'm learning so much," Kirby said. "How to handle a program, a game plan from a coaching perspective rather than a player's perspective."

Wins and losses haven't been at the forefront. It's getting players to deal with adversity in a positive way.

Kirby is able to draw on his own experience with adversity in high school.

After the surgeries on both legs that ended his junior season in high school, he battled back. He was named Basha's Comeback Player of the Year in the 2015-16 season. He earned a scholarship to play in college and completed a business degree.

"Just to be a positive role model for them is important," Kirby said. "To teach them not just about basketball but the game of life. That's what all my coaches instilled in me.

"They're about to graduate and go to college and stuff. I just want to be a mentor."

Kirby has nine seniors on his Tempe squad, led by Torian Gant, who averages 16.6 points.

Gant said things could have fallen apart in the fall when there was still no coach to lead them.

"I think Coach K was the best possible thing that could have happened," Gant said. "Coach K is a big part of why we're so tied together as a team."

Gant could tell right away that Kirby knew what he was talking about, not far removed from playing.

"He was recently in our spot and knows where he came from and where he's going," he said.

Donovan Quinn, a 6-4 senior wing, who is averaging 15.6 points and a team-leading 5.3 rebounds, said nobody knew who was going to be coaching until two weeks before official practice began.

"He took the head coach spot by surprise," Quinn said. "He relates to us in what we can do. He's a very good coach. He knows what we go through in school and basketball, trying to get to the next level. He knows what to expect at the next level. It's great to have him as our coach."

Senior point guard Jamey Washington, who is averaging 10 points, realizes it's been tough to win. But he feels Kirby has been a great influence.

"When he first came, he brought us all together as one," Washington said. "We got it right."

Kirby was going to be the freshman coach. He's happy to be leading the entire program for the time being. He's been in constant communication with Van Guse.

"We have a great relationship," Kirby said. "We've talked about the next step. We're a great team and we want to continue that team.

"I just really wanted a coaching opportunity."

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter @azc_obert.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tempe's Devin Kirby shifts from college player to high school coach