It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Castle McCulloch gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Courtney, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“Looking for a placement is always difficult for a family. Contacting Sandy to help was the best option. She was familiar with all assisted living/memory care facilities around town and was quick to respond to the family with tours. She delivered FL2 forms to physician's and made the transition an easy process. I recommend Sandy 100 % for any family needing a smaller community for their elderly family member.”
“I have been working for ABC for two years now, and I am very grateful for my position. The staff are acceptable, the clients are lovely, and the environments are professional. I highly recommend PCAs and CNAs to apply.”
“Such a wonderful place to work! Caregivers that genuinely care with office support that go above and beyond for staff/clients. Highly recommend for employment and senior in-home care support.”
“I bn with this company for Abt a year and I love working for them . They work with you,they care about ur personal life/ problems, really good at matching you with good clients..”
“I cannot say enough good things about this company and the caregivers they provided after my mom's recent accident and stay in a rehab facility. The staff were constantly in communication with us keeping us abreast of any little or big updates. Their attitudes were always helpful and they seemed to genuinely care. The caregivers they sent to sit with and take care of mom were EXCELLENT. I'm not sure how many different caregivers she had over the few weeks of her stay but there wasn't a single one that wasn't kind and extremely helpful. It took a tremendous load off of everyone in our family knowing that she was being well cared for when we couldn't be there. Thank you to Brandi, Joanne, Gina, and anyone I'm missing for everything you all did for us from the beginning of the process all the way to my mom's release today. Hopefully, we won't need your services again, but if we do, I know who I will be calling!”
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“Sandy is very knowledgeable of assisted living options in the Winston Salem area. She helped with a family member’s search with care and consideration. We highly recommend.”
“I highly recommend Sandy Bowen with Always Best Care. I called her with a very tight timeframe to find a suitable memory care facility for my family member. She asked a lot of questions about my loved one to try and get to know her as much as possible. She worked very fast and lined up several appointments for us to tour places within a matter of days. She explained the process to me every step of the way and made sure we stayed on track. She attended the appointments with me and asked questions that I would never think to ask. I can’t thank her enough.”
“The staff and caretakers are wonderful. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who needs at home care for themselves or loved ones”
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“The staff and caretakers are wonderful. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who needs at home care for themselves or loved ones”
“During an unexpected hospital stay, Joanne provided much needed assistance. She provided excellent care and supportive advocacy. It made dealing with the discomfort more bearable and gave me a safeguard to decipher the complicated choices to resolve health issues. I highly recommend this service.”
“If you are looking for attentive, quality home care look no further than Joanne and her team. A passion for excellence is driven for from this team. Family oriented and willing to work with all families.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Seal Bay Regional Nature Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Il Falcone Restaurant or visit Dolly Parton's Stampede, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Courtney, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Courtney, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Courtney, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Entering year seven of the head coach Courtney Banghart era, North Carolina women's basketball remains on the upward trend with the announcement of the 2025-26 roster. The Tar Heels return 10 from last season's Sweet 16 run and welcome the addition of four newcomers in two transfers plus two true freshmen.THE RETURNERS ...
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Entering year seven of the head coach Courtney Banghart era, North Carolina women's basketball remains on the upward trend with the announcement of the 2025-26 roster. The Tar Heels return 10 from last season's Sweet 16 run and welcome the addition of four newcomers in two transfers plus two true freshmen.
THE RETURNERS Lanie Grant ACC All-Freshman Team • USBWA Tamika Catchings Freshman of the Week (12/23) • Appeared in all 37 games as a freshman • Scored a career-high 19 points in the comeback win at Louisville • 11 games in double-figure scoring • Led UNC in scoring in four games, twice in ACC action.
Jordan Zubich Appeared in 17 games off the bench, four against ACC foes • Scored a career-high six points against NC Central.
Laila Hull Came in off the bench in 23 games • Lit it up from beyond the arc at N.C. A&T, draining a career-high four threes • Scored a career-best 13 points against the Aggies, with a personal-high five rebounds.
Reniya Kelly All-ACC Second Team • ACC player of the Week (2/17) • USBWA National Player of the Week (2/18) • Scored a career-high 23 points in the win over NC State • Drained 40 threes last season, to rank No. 4 at UNC in a season by shooting 41.2% from beyond the arc.
Kayla McPherson Sat out last season due to injury.
Sydney Barker Played in nine games off the bench • Scored in the NCAA Tournament with two points against Oregon State • Drained a three in ACC action at SMU.
Ciera Toomey Appeared in 32 games, making one start • Scored a career-high 10 points against UConn, NC Central and Norfolk State • Snagged a career-best eight rebounds against UNCW • Grabbed 69 rebounds in her debut campaign.
Indya Nivar Started in 34 games • Scored a season-high 16 points against Georgia Tech • 14 games scoring in double-figures • Dished out a career-high five assists at Miami, at Pitt and against Boston College in the ACC Tournament • Led UNC with 2.0 assists per game and her 68 steals marked the most in a season in the Banghart era.
Taissa Queiroz Enrolled at UNC in the spring to redshirt and practice with the team • Rated as a four-star prospect by ESPN • Boasts international experience playing for her home country of Brazil, playing with the national team in exhibition games last month against the WNBA's Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever.
Blanca Thomas Appeared in 33 games for the Tar Heels in debut campaign, making five stars • Grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds against UNCW • Scored a career-high eight points in the season-opener against Charleston Southern • 10 games with five or more rebounds • Posted an ACC best with seven points and eight rebounds in the win against Duke in Carmichael • Grabbed 115 rebounds for the most by a freshman in a season since Alyssa Ustby (2020-21).
THE NEWCOMERS Nyla Harris Joins the Tar Heels for her senior season after spending three years at Louisville • Paced the Cardinals last season, shooting 54.0% from the field • Boasts 33 career games in double-figure scoring and eight double-doubles • Averaging 7.6 points, 5.1 rebounds while shooting 54.2% on her career.
Taliyah Henderson A 6-1 guard from Vail, Ariz. and Salpointe Catholic • Touted as a five-star recruit by ESPN • Boasts international experience with Team Canada • Started in every game last summer at the FIBA U18 Women's Americup, assisting Canada to a silver medal after averaging 9.5 points per game • Boasts eight state championship titles between basketball and track.
Nyla Brooks 6-2 guard out of Waldorf, Md. and Bishop Ireton • 2025 McDonald's All-American • Participated in the 2025 Jordan Brand Classic • 2025 Virginia Girls Basketball Player of the Year • Five-star prospect according to ESPN • Named the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Player of the Year.
Elina Aarnisalo Transferred to UNC following her freshman season at UCLA • Played in all 37 games for the Bruins en route to a Final Four run • Recorded five games in double-figure scoring in her debut campaign • Dished out a career-high 11 assists against Arkansas • Averaged 5.1 points and 3.4 assists per game • Boasts international experience, playing for her native country of Finland at the 2022 FIBA U18 Women's European Championships.
Stay up to date with the latest North Carolina women's basketball news on X at @UNCWBB, Instagram @UNCWBB and Facebook at Carolina Women's Basketball.
Courtney Gunter joined the NC State women’s golf program as an assistant coach in June 2024 prior to the 2024-25 season.Gunter joined the Wolfpack after serving as the head coach of the women’s golf program at Western Carolina from 2018-24. Under Gunter’s guidance for six seasons, the Catamount program reached new heights, highlighted by a return to the postseason in 2023. WCU won seven tournament titles since 2018, including a program record four team wins during the 2022-23 season.Following a remarkable 2022...
Courtney Gunter joined the NC State women’s golf program as an assistant coach in June 2024 prior to the 2024-25 season.
Gunter joined the Wolfpack after serving as the head coach of the women’s golf program at Western Carolina from 2018-24. Under Gunter’s guidance for six seasons, the Catamount program reached new heights, highlighted by a return to the postseason in 2023. WCU won seven tournament titles since 2018, including a program record four team wins during the 2022-23 season.
Following a remarkable 2022-23 season, Gunter earned 2023 Southern Conference Coach of the Year honors. Three Catamount players – Brie Mapanao (73.63), Elizabeth Lohbauer (73.70) and Madison Isaacson (74.37) – broke the program’s single-season scoring record, as well as earn All-Southern Conference Team honors. Mapanao was also named the league’s Freshman of the Year. That squad posted five top six 54-hole scores in program history and with the successful regular season, earned an at-large berth into the inaugural Golfweek National Golf Invitational – the first postseason bid for the school since 2007.
Gunter came to Western Carolina after two seasons at Coastal Carolina from 2016-18. She led the Chanticleers to the first Sun Belt Conference title in program history in 2018. Four of her golfers were named to the All-Sun Belt team, including three First Team selections, while Malene Krolboll Hansen was named the Sun Belt Golfer of the Year.
Before her time in Conway, South Carolina, Gunter was an assistant coach at East Carolina for three years, while earning a master’s degree in sport management. She helped lead the Pirates to an NCAA Regional berth each of the three seasons she was at ECU.
Gunter played collegiately at North Carolina (2009-13) for a team that won five team titles, as well as recorded 20 top-five finishes, appeared in four NCAA Regional Championships and advanced to two NCAA Championships.
During her sophomore season playing for the Tarheels, UNC won the ACC title and finished tied for eighth at the NCAA Championship. Gunter was tabbed a 2010 National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) All-American, a 2010 All-ACC honoree and a two-time All-ACC Honor Roll member (2010 and 2012).
The Matthews, North Carolina native was a four-time all-conference choice and three-time Player of the Year at Porter Ridge High School. Her high school won four consecutive championships and three state titles during her prep career. As an amateur golfer, Gunter won the 2011 Carolinas’ Amateur and was tabbed the 2008 Carolinas Golf Association Female Golfer of the Year.
Gunter earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and exercise sport science from UNC in May 2013.
Courtney Coard spent four seasons (2011-14) as North Carolina A&T’s defensive line coach. He departed N.C. A&T for one season in 2015 to become a defensive graduate assistant at the University of Georgia. He returned to Aggieland in 2016 to resume his duties as the Aggies defensive line coach.In 2018, he was named co-defensive coordinator, sharing the duties with head coach Sam Washington. In his role as co-defensive coordinator, the Aggies have continued their dominance on the defensive end. The Aggies defense has ranke...
Courtney Coard spent four seasons (2011-14) as North Carolina A&T’s defensive line coach. He departed N.C. A&T for one season in 2015 to become a defensive graduate assistant at the University of Georgia. He returned to Aggieland in 2016 to resume his duties as the Aggies defensive line coach.
In 2018, he was named co-defensive coordinator, sharing the duties with head coach Sam Washington. In his role as co-defensive coordinator, the Aggies have continued their dominance on the defensive end. The Aggies defense has ranked in the top-10 nationally over the last two seasons (2018, 19) the Aggies have played.
A&T has had the No. 1 MEAC defense over that same span, with Coard as co-defensive coordinator. The Aggies run defense was also the best league-wide in 2018 and 19 and ranked in the top-5 nationally over those same two seasons.
Coard has helped the Aggies construct one of the best run defenses in the Football Championship Subdivision. The run defense has finished outside the top-10 nationally once, and in 2013 the Aggies led the nation in run defense. In addition, N.C. A&T has had the No. 1 MEAC run defense five times since Coard joined the staff.
Thanks to A&T’s defensive line play, the Aggies total defense has finished outside the top-20 only once in six seasons. The pass rush has been sufficient too. The Aggies ranked 23rd in sacks in 2013, 9th in 2014 and 10th in 2016, ninth in 2017 and seventh in 2019.
Under Coard’s leadership, Devin Harrell and Jermaine McDaniel had career seasons at the Aggies two defensive end positions in 2019. Both men finished among the top-5 in sacks in the MEAC. A year earlier, defensive end Darryl Johnson, Jr., earned MEAC defensive player of the year award as the Buffalo Bills drafted him in the seventh round of the NFL Draft.
Defensive tackle Marquis Ragland and defensive end Angelo Keyes became All-MEAC performers. Walk-on defensive end Daniel Pinnix developed into one of the best pass rushers in the MEAC in 2013. Tyree Hearn steadily improved in three seasons as a starter for Coard. Hearn collected 20 tackles for loss and 7 ½ sacks in his last three seasons, earning a third-team All-MEAC selection 2013.
Former defensive end Tony Mashburn also benefited from Coard’s teachings in 2011 and ‘12. In two years with Coard, Mashburn collected an impressive 22 ½ tackles for loss, 82 tackles and 11 sacks. Defensive tackle Chris Neal also had a career year during his senior season in 2012 with career highs in tackles (33), tackles for loss (9) and sacks (3).
Before coming to A&T, Coard coached defensive ends and assisted in coaching defensive tackles at Grambling under then-head coach Rod Broadway. Coard assisted defensive coordinator/defensive line coach Cliff Yoshida in 2009 and ‘10. Coard helped the defensive line produce 7.8 tackles for loss per game. It allowed the Tigers to rank 15th nationally in tackles for loss. Defensive lineman Christian Anthony ranked 31st in the nation in sacks per game and finished 19thin tackles for loss. The following season, defensive lineman Antonio Leonard registered 1.2 tackles for loss per game.
Before he arrived at Grambling, Coard served as the defensive line coach at his high school alma mater Charlotte Independence. As a player at Independence, Coard helped the Patriots win four straight state championships. Coard was a four-year starter at defensive tackle for N.C. Central from 2004-07 under then-head coach Rod Broadway. His presence helped the Eagles win consecutive CIAA titles in 2005 and ‘06. In 2004, he was named to the CIAA’s All-Rookie Team. Academically, Coard earned a B.A. degree in business management in 2008. Two years later, he received an M.S. degree in sports administration from Grambling.
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