Director of Academics

Darrance Gillion is a co-founder of the Gillion Academy for Academic Excellence and serves as the program’s director of academics, where he is responsible for developing and executing curriculum and scheduling. 

With over 20 years of professional experience (as well as master’s degrees in education leadership and school counseling) as a teacher, school counselor, director of school counseling and dean of students in both private and public education, Mr. Gillion leads the Academy's vision of a system where every student has the resources, opportunities and support they need to thrive. 

He has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to reimagining education throughout his career, working to address systemic inequities, empower communities and create sustainable solutions that prepare students for a rapidly evolving world.  He now brings that tireless advocacy for students and their families as well as his ability to inspire transformative change to the Academy, where he also serves as co-director of the Life Skills Program (which teaches financial literacy, entrepreneurship and life experiences from working professionals and leaders).

In addition to his academic background, Mr. Gillion has a long history and proven track record of developing players.  He is the co-founder/coach of the nationally recognized AAU program Team Breakdown and has also coached nationally ranked high school teams.  Darrance has developed over 150 players who played at the collegiate level in his 24 years of experience, with more than 50 of those players going on to play professionally.  

Director of Basketball Programming

Zacchaeus Gillion is a co-founder of the Gillion Academy for Academic Excellence and serves as the program’s director of basketball programming, where he passionately leads the student athletes to believe in themselves on the court and in the classroom. 

Coach Zach oversees all aspects of basketball training for the Academy, using his vast experience as a game/highlight film specialist and recruitment expert to provide maximum exposure and opportunity for the student athletes.  He developed the Academy’s Basketball IQ program, which utilizes game film, game situations and tailored practice drills to develop court intelligence and round out elite skills.

Prior to co-founding the Academy, Zach served as an assistant coach for Division I programs Chicago State and Samford.  He reached the collegiate level after earning Florida High School Coach of the Year honors twice and coaching Team Breakdown (which he co-founded with his brother, Darrance) to two national AAU championships.  He has developed over 150 players who played at the collegiate level in his 24 years of experience, with more than 50 of those players going on to play professionally.  

Director of Player Development

Warren Doles serves as director of basketball programming and player development for the Gillion Academy for Academic Excellence.  Coach Warren has an unwavering passion for player development and inspires the student athletes by sharing his extensive playing and professional coaching experience.

After playing collegiately at Shepherd University and Fairmont State University (where he still holds assists records at both schools), Warren began a successful career as a coach and basketball trainer.  In addition to coaching locally as an assistant at Alexandria City High School, he served as player development coach for the Chinese National Team and the Qingdao Eagles of the Chinese Basketball Association. 

Warren also is the founder of the DMV Basketball Academy, where he developed and trained numerous notable players who have gone on to play professionally in the NBA or overseas (including Haywood Highsmith, former Division II National Player of the Year and current member of the Miami Heat).

Head Trainer/Academic Advisor

Maurice Smith is the head trainer and academic advisor for the Gillion Academy for Academic Excellence.  Coach Mo was a top student to match his high performance on the court during his career and uses that experience to mentor student athletes looking to play at the next level.

Mo has deep ties to the Gillion family, playing for Team Breakdown in high school and helping the team earn a number-one U16 ranking.   He continued his career at Division I Western Carolina University before moving on to Harris-Stowe University, where led the team to the AMC Midwest Conference Championship in 2020.  Following his undergrad career, Mo played as a graduate at the University of the Virgin Islands.  He earned his MBA as well as Second Team All-Conference honors (the first player in school history to do so) after finishing in the top ten in points, rebounds, three-point percentage and blocks.

Director of Academy Operations

Phillip Budwick is a co-founder of The Gillion Academy for Academic Excellence and serves as the program’s director of academy operations.  He brings more than 30 years of experience in the areas of law, finance and entrepreneurship to the Academy’s operational and academic planning while also serving as co-director of the Life Skills Program (which teaches financial literacy, entrepreneurship and life experiences from working professionals and leaders).

Phil holds a law degree from Tulane University and a master’s degree in finance from the George Washington University School of Business. He worked as a transactional and administrative law attorney for the federal government before moving into the private sector as a business owner and developer. 

Phil is currently a managing member of Capital Realty Group, a real estate investment company, and a managing member of Globalwax, an international import/export company covering Asia, Latin America and the United States.  He also serves as an adjunct professor at the GWU School of Business, teaching portfolio management and derivatives to graduate and undergraduate classes.

Academy Administrator