Arketa Banks is in his first season as an assistant coach at Gardner-Webb, taking on the responsibility for the team’s running backs and tight ends in 2018. Banks joined the GWU family after spending five seasons at Division II Lenoir-Rhyne, where he coached receivers and slotbacks in addition to serving as Director of High School Relations and In-State Recruiting for the Bears.
Banks coached receivers at Lenoir-Rhyne from 2015-2017 and was the slotbacks coach in 2013 and 2014. During the 2014 season, Banks’ slotbacks helped the Bears rush for a school and national-record (Division II) 416.2 yards per game.
In addition, seniors Chris Robinson and Jarrod Spears earned all-league and all-region honors while Robinson rushed for the most yards in a season (1,418) in 20 years and was named an NCAA Division II All-American for his efforts. The Bears went 11-1 in 2014 and finished the season ranked No. 8 in the nation.
Banks came to Lenoir-Rhyne after serving as Running Backs and Wide Receivers Coach (2009-12) at Western Carolina University. Banks also served as the Catamounts’ community service and camp director and coached Michael Johnson to 2009 Southern Conference Freshman-of-the-Year honors.
Prior to Western Carolina, Banks was the Secondary Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Brevard College (2008). Banks also coached at Wakefield High School in Raleigh, N.C., in 2006 and 2007 and Warren County High School in Warrenton, N.C., in 2004 and 2005. At Warren County, Banks was Head Coach in 2005 and Head Junior Varsity Coach in 2004. In 2005, Banks mentored quarterback Victor Hunt to NCC Player-of-the-Year honors.
No stranger to the Big South Conference, Banks earned second-team All-Big South honors in 2002 while starring at Elon as a receiver and kick returner. During his career with the Phoenix (1999-2002), Banks helped establish the program as one of the top independents in Division I-AA, before the inaugural Big South Conference season in 2002. He was named team MVP in 2001.
Banks graduated from Elon in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in leisure sport management.
He and his wife, Latora, are the proud parents of three children: Shymia, Kimora and Arketa, II.
