The late Josh Giles was raised in the inner city of Detroit, Michigan where he overcame numerous economic and academic challenges. Because of the strong influence and tutelage he received from his high school coach, the legendary George W. Gaddy, he was compelled to pass guidance on to numerous basketball players, nationally as well as internationally. Through out his life he developed a host of long-term relationships, mentors, and professional contacts which also attributed to his success as a coach and mentor.  

Coach Giles became known on the coaching circuit as an excellent recruiter, serving as head coach at Florida A & M University, as an assistant at University of New Orleans and Mercer University, and starting in 1987 as head coach at Polk Community College where he retired in 2000. He is attributed with putting Polk Community College athletics on the map. As the school’s basketball coach he compiled a record of 262- 130 with six conference titles, three state titles and three trips to the national tournament. A Hall of Fame inductee on the Community College level, he truly had reached the top of his game. In the December ‘94 issue of Basketball Weekly Magazine, Josh was recognized as one of the top junior-college coaches in the country. He was rated the fourth-best junior college coach in the country by the publication. 

Josh subscribed to the theory of never quitting. He was of the belief that with determination almost anything could be overcome, in the classroom and on the court. In addition to being a coach he was an educator, motivator and strong advocate for young men utilizing education as a way to better their lives.  

Former PCC Players Lorenzo Williams, Bart Ross, Dexter Hill, Mark Brisker and Dwayne Hackett, Katu Davis, and Jeff Walbritton (just to name a few) all credit Josh for their success in basketball and individual development.  

Josh’s belief of making a difference in the lives of our youth continues to exist through the Josh Giles Foundation, a non profit organization which provides scholarships to Polk County high school seniors and support to the PCC Basketball Program.