Coaching Staff
Boys Basketball Coaching Staff
Corey Taylor–Interim Varsity Head Coach
Coach Taylor is a Champaign, IL native who played basketball for 4 years at Champaign Centennial High School (IL) for the late Coleman Carrodine and Father (Willie Taylor).
He is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University, where he majored in Physical Education. He served as a Student Assistant for 2 seasons with the basketball program for Rick Samuels. Coach Taylor also received a Masters’ Degree in the field of Educational Leadership during his time at Eastern Illinois.
He started out coaching at the middle level, and then moved on to Champaign Central High School (IL) where he served as an Assistant Coach under Scott Davis as well as Former National High School Coach of the Year and longtime University of Illinois/Kansas State Assistant, the Legendary Wayne McClain (late). Coach Taylor also spent time as an assistant two seasons at Noblesville High School.
Coach Taylor served as a Varsity Assistant for this past season’s 33-0 State Championship team. He also helped in the team becoming the Marion County Tournament Champions as well. He is entering into his sixth season on staff at Ben Davis. His responsibilities for the basketball program include but are not limited to development and instruction of all perimeter players, strength and conditioning support staff, recruiting and scouting.
Throughout his time coaching and mentoring student-athletes, he has specialized in the area of player development where he has worked with multiple players to enhance their skill level from youth ages, high school, college and professional athletes. He has had the opportunity to work in AAU organizations such as the Nike Affiliated Spiece Indy Heat of Fort Wayne (IN). Coach Taylor is married to Tyla Taylor and they have two children (Morgan, 9 and Royce, 5).
Voice mail: 317-988-7164
Don Carlisle–Varsity Head Coach
Carlisle is entering his 11th full season as a varsity boy’s basketball coach, and fifth here at Ben Davis. Prior to his arrival, he was the head coach at Arlington for three seasons where we began with a sectional championship; first in 14 years for that program. Carlisle enjoyed similar success in year one and was fortunate enough to guide the program to its second State Runners up trophy and second trip to Banker’s Life in three years.
As a player, he committed to IUPUI in 1997 after a stellar career here at Ben Davis High School. A two-year starter for the Giants, he was a member of the 1995 and 1996 IHSAA State Championship teams and was an honorable mention All-State selection after averaging 12.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. He was named a City-County All-Star and All-Metro selection, while also earning All-Sectional, Regional and Semi-state honors.
Carlisle played professionally in many countries abroad with the longest stint being in Paris, France. Before moving back to Indianapolis he spent 2 seasons as the head coach at the International School of Paris. He was also a full-time assistant at IUPUI (D1) for two years. Carlisle is a product of the west side and proud graduate from Ben Davis high school. He graciously looks forward to continued support from the Wayne township family and looks forward to showcasing the best the west side has to offer!. Carlisle lives on the west side in Wayne township with son Donoven (24) and daughter Micah (10).
Voicemail: 317-988-7164
Courtney James–Varsity Assistant Coach
Courtney is in his 6th year as an assistant coach and looks forward to being a mainstay in the program helping our kids for years to come. Coach James is a Level Up Specialist at Ben Davis.
Courtney James attended the University of Minnesota. He led the Golden Gophers in rebounding in both his freshman (6.9) and sophomore (7.2) seasons. James was runner-up Big Ten Freshman of the Year the 1995-96 season and was named by ‘The Sporting News’ the Big Ten Top Rebounder of the Year for the 1996-1997 season. James was instrumental in Minnesota’s run to their first Final Four appearance during the 1996-97 season when he averaged 7.8 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game in the Gophers five Tournament games. James scored 12 points and hauled down 9 rebounds in an upset win over UCLA that sent Minnesota to the Final Four.
He played his senior year at Ben Davis High School. James was a member of the Ben Davis 1994 -1995 State Championship Team. Averaging 16 pts. and 10 rebounds per game, James was named MVP of the State Tournament. James received numerous city/county basketball honors and accolades including being selected to the 1995 Indiana All-Star Team. Most recently James was the Boys Varsity Basketball Team Coach for 2 seasons, (2016 – 2018) at George Washington High School. Prior to that James was the Freshman Boy’s Coach & Assistant Varsity Coach at Thomas C Howe High School, (October 2000 to 2016). While he was the first Assistant Head Varsity Coach, the team won the City Championship in 2015, and in 2016 the team made it to the state championship game. The previous 2 years he served as the Head Freshman Coach, and the 2 years prior to that as the 8th Grade Head Coach. Courtney is married to Mariah James. He is the father of 2 children, Kourtney (25) and Isaac (23) and the stepfather to Kyndell and T.J. Minor. Kyndell is 16 years old and a junior at BDHS. T.J. is 14 years old and attends Ben Davis Ninth Grade Center.
Voicemail :317-988-7299
Kevin Butler–JV Head Coach
Coach Kevin Butler enters his 5th season with Ben Davis as the Junior Varsity Head Coach. Coach Butler is a native of Peoria, IL where he graduated and played basketball at Peoria High School for coaches Chuck Buescher and Dan Ruffin for four years.
Coach Butler began his college basketball career at Illinois Central College, where he played basketball for 2 years, before transferring to Wilberforce University, in Ohio. Coach Butler played 2 seasons at Wilberforce University, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work in 2004.
In 2005 Coach Butler relocated to Indianapolis, where he immediately began working, mentoring and coaching, in the cities Public and Charter Schools. During this time Coach Butler was able to help jump start the Athletic and Basketball Program at Indianapolis Lighthouse Charter School, where he served as the Head Varsity Basketball Coach from 2014-2017. During his first season as head coach his team held a 19-4 record and Champions of the 2014-2015 ICST (Indiana Christian State Tournament). In 2017 Coach Butler accepted the offer to become the Head Varsity Basketball Coach at Charles A. Tindley Accelerated High School where he coached for 2 seasons, winning a Sectional Championship during the 2017-2018 season. Coach Butler enjoys traveling, spending time with his family and learning new things.
Coach Butler says he is honored to be a part of the coaching staff at Ben Davis, enjoys the family atmosphere and respects the winning tradition of the program. He is excited about the current and future space of Ben Davis Boys Basketball and looks forward to working with the coaches, parents and community for positive growth and development of our boys on and off the courts.
Greg Person–JV Assistant Coach
Coach Greg Person enters his 1st season with Ben Davis as the Assistant Junior Varsity Coach. Coach Person is a native of Indianapolis, IN and Ben Davis Alumni Class of 2011 where he played basketball and helped the Giants win Sectionals during his 2009-2010 season. The Giants finished the season with a record of 15-8. Coach Person began his basketball Coaching career at multiple IPS high schools from 2012-2019. He coached at Chapel Hill 7th & 8th grade Center during the 2022-2023 season.
Since Graduating he has served Wayne Township for 10 years being a sponsor of Ben Davis Giant Kings now known as Giant Kingdom. He is also a volunteer coach for our basketball youth programs in Wayne Township. Currently he is a paraprofessional at Ben Davis in the Learning Center helping students get back on track to graduate.
Coach Person is honored and excited to be a part of the coaching staff at Ben Davis, a place that once poured into him as a young man that helped him grow into the mentor he is today. He enjoys the daily interaction with the students and families of Wayne Township and the continued building of traditions within the program.
He is excited about the current and future of the Ben Davis Boys Basketball program. He looks forward to working with the coaches, parents , community and future Giants helping our young men with self-identity, academic , social and career development, growing them into a critical mass of positive role models and influential leaders who ameliorate the culture of the entire school system on and off the courts.
Voicemail: 317-988-7233
Michael Ray Jr.–Freshman Head Coach
Coach Ray is entering his 10th year coaching at Ben Davis HS, where he’s the Freshman Head Coach. He previously coached at Emmerich Manual HS for three years, where he was the Head JV Coach and also served as a Varsity Assistant.
Coach Ray graduated from Manual HS and earned his bachelor’s degree from Indiana State University. He has been teaching for 16 years and currently is teaching Health and Physical Education at the Ben Davis Ninth Grade Center.
He also lives in Wayne Township and is the proud father of four wonderful children Makayla, Aniya, Makenzie, and Michael. Coach Ray has a strong passion for basketball and today’s youth. He feels it gives him a platform in which he can help instill life skills into the young men he coaches.
Voicemail: 317-988-7566
Phil Brown–Freshman Assistant Coach
Please check back for an updated bio.
