Coach AJ Bussey brings 14 years of coaching experience to his first year at Lebanon High School, having a diverse background in both coaching and playing multiple sports at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. A former standout athlete at Life Christian Academy in Oklahoma City, OK, Coach Bussey excelled in basketball, football, and track & field, showcasing his versatility and athleticism.
As a high school athlete, Coach Bussey was recognized for his achievements in basketball, football, and track. In basketball, he played as a Forward and Center, earning numerous accolades including:
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2009 Brooks Mosier 1st Team All-State Football
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2010 SCC Basketball Conference Champion
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2009 SCC Basketball Conference Runner-Up
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2009 and 2010 East Regional Basketball Runner-Up
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Two-Year Varsity Letter in both basketball and football
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Top 100 Oklahoma state rankings in both football and basketball in 2009 and 2010
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2008 “Iron Man” Award
On the basketball court, Coach Bussey's impressive statistics include over 1,017 rebounds, ranking him among the top 5 in school history. He also set several records including the 2nd most offensive rebounds in a game (12), the most rebounds in a game (23), and the most rebounds in a season (567), with a career rebounding average of 15.6 per game.
In college, Coach Bussey played basketball at Randall University, where he was a Small/Power Forward and also participated in soccer as a Striker/Keeper. He earned several accolades during his college career, including:
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2010 and 2011 ACCA National Champion
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2x NCCAA Southwest Regional Runner-Up
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2012 ACCA National Champion Runner-Up
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Basketball Captain at Randall University
Coach Bussey also took his talents to the professional level, playing one season of basketball in Saint-Sebastien-sur-Loire, France, where he averaged 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists per game. Additionally, he played two seasons of minor league football in Oklahoma City, earning 1st Team 4SFL selection in 2017 and helping his team win the PAFA Championship in 2018.
Throughout his coaching career, Coach Bussey has held numerous positions, contributing to the success of several teams:
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2008-2011: Assistant Elementary Soccer Coach at Life Christian Academy
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2012-2013: High School Boys Head Varsity Assistant Coach at Life Christian Academy
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2013-2014: High School Boys Varsity Head Coach at Life Christian Academy
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2014-2018: Head Assistant & Head Coach, Oklahoma City Phoenix Fire FC
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2017-2018: Coach for Oklahoma Servants
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2022 Boys AAU Coach
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2021-2022: Varsity Boys Defensive Coordinator at Edmond Central Middle School
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2022-2023: Assistant Coach for Pro Team Men’s at Oklahoma Servants
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2023-2024: Head Varsity Assistant Coach at Middletown Christian School
Coach Bussey’s coaching career has been marked by several team successes, including:
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2013 Harvest Hills Invitational Championship (Head Coach, Life Christian)
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2023 Mid-America Basketball Association Championship (Assistant Coach, Oklahoma Servants)
In addition to his coaching expertise, Coach Bussey is dedicated to the development of young athletes. He holds a USA Basketball Gold Coach License, as well as certifications in Personal Training, Nutrition, and Strength Coaching. He has also earned two degrees: an AA in Multidisciplinary Studies and an AOS in Personal Fitness Training. Coach Bussey has hosted sports camps in Haiti, Latvia, and France, and has spent 8 years working in performance enhancement training for athletes at all levels, from middle school to professional.
Outside of basketball, Coach Bussey serves as the NextGen Director and High School Pastor at SouthBrook Christian Church. He is also the COO and writer for The Suave Report. Coach Bussey enjoys working out, spending time with his family, watching movies with his “Double Horror” group, listening to audiobooks, and collecting vinyl records and sneakers.
Coach Bussey’s approach to coaching extends beyond the game of basketball. He is deeply committed to developing young athletes not only as players but also as individuals. He emphasizes the values of hard work, discipline, and teamwork, while striving to help his athletes grow in confidence and character. Coach Bussey believes in fostering an environment where athletes can thrive both on and off the court, and his goal is to inspire them to reach their full potential in all areas of their lives.
Coach Bussey is married to his wife, Beth, and they have a daughter, Gianna, who is 2 years old.
