Gil Hooker Named MMA Head Basketball Coach

Missouri Military Academy (MMA) announces that Gil Hooker has been named the head basketball coach for the 2024-25 school year. The position is an advancement from his role as an assistant MMA basketball coach. In addition to his responsibilities as head basketball coach, he will continue to serve as assistant track coach at MMA in the new academic year. He also currently serves as the behavioral interventionist (dean of students) at Mexico High School.

“Gil is a great role model, has a proven record of success, and has had a positive impact on our cadets. He brings a wealth of experience and passion for athletics, the value of teamwork, and the importance of preparation and personal accountability,” says MMA President Brigadier General Richard V. Geraci, USA (Ret).

Growing up in Vandalia, Missouri, Hooker graduated from Van-Far High School in 2006. He was a standout three-sport student-athlete, earning all-district honors in football, winning district titles and making sectional appearances in basketball and setting school records in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash that still stand today.

Hooker continued his athletic career at North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) on a track scholarship and later played semi-pro football, where he won two championships and scored four touchdowns in a single game. His coaching career began in 2015 as an assistant at Van-Far High School. He then moved to Smithton Middle School before returning to Van-Far to coach his younger brothers' football teams.

After a brief hiatus to support his brothers' athletic pursuits, he resumed coaching in 2020. He led Mexico Middle School to an undefeated basketball season before joining MMA in 2021. He accepted an invitation from his former high school coach, Brian Meny, MMA’s athletic director, to coach football, basketball and track.

“My goal as a coach is to help our MMA cadets reach their full potential by honing their athletic abilities,” Hooker says, “Through sports, I aim to teach valuable lessons in teamwork, leadership and relationship-building, which will benefit them both on and off the field.”

Hooker holds a master's degree in education and bachelor's degrees in physical education and psychology from Central Methodist University.

Gil is married to Tiffany Hooker and has two children, Remington and Roman.