by Caroline Paris Paczkowski
When Dave Bliss arrived at the University of Georgia, he felt the pull of something bigger than basketball. He was drawn to UGA by the energy of campus life, the variety of academic offerings, and the opportunities that came with being a student-athlete at a major university. A standout recruit from central Wisconsin, Bliss was quickly immersed in the basketball program – but it was the choice to major in political science that broadened his perspective beyond the court. His time in the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) opened doors he hadn’t anticipated, shaping his worldview, expanding his leadership skills, and ultimately laying the foundation for his career as an NBA coach.
After considering a variety of majors, Bliss explains he ultimately chose SPIA as his academic home for its versatility. “I figured I’d end up in athletics somehow, but I didn’t know how.
SPIA gave me a flexible platform to explore different paths,” Bliss recalls.
Through SPIA, Bliss gained a broader lens for understanding systems, people, and policy—insights that would later prove invaluable in his coaching career. 
“SPIA helped me see the complexity of how the world works,” he says. “It taught me to look beyond my own experience and understand different perspectives.”
That global awareness now informs his coaching style. As an assistant coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Bliss leads the team’s defensive strategy. Yet his role goes far beyond Xs and Os.
“Our job is to create an environment where people can succeed and thrive,” he explains. “That’s no different than what SPIA teaches—how to build consensus, how to get buy-in from people with different interests, and how to move together toward a common goal.”
He often describes coaching as a blend of art and science. While analytics and film study are critical to game preparation, equally important are the moments of connection: knowing when to challenge a player, when to offer support, and when to inject humor to ease tension.
Balancing the demands of Division I basketball with the rigor of classes in SPIA and the Honors College was no small feat. Bliss credits the support of faculty and staff, including then-Honors Program Director Jere Morehead, for helping him navigate the challenges. The university’s willingness to accommodate his academic ambitions alongside his athletic commitments made a lasting impression.
One of the most defining moments of Bliss’s college career came during the 2008 SEC Tournament, his senior season. After a tornado struck the Georgia Dome, the team was forced to play three games in 36 hours at Georgia Tech. Against all odds, they won the tournament. The experience was chaotic, but it revealed the power of resilience and collective determination.
That experience, he says, mirrors the best parts of sports—and life. “When you’re in a community setting, that’s what becomes meaningful. It’s not about perfection. It’s about shared pursuit.”
Now recognized as a 2025 UGA 40 under 40 honoree, Bliss reflects on the Bulldog community with pride. Though his career has taken him across the country, he frequently encounters Georgia alumni in unexpected places—at games, in airports, and even on the street. Two simple words that express the sentiments of the entire Bulldog Nation— “Go Dawgs”—often ring out unexpectedly, reminding Bliss of the powerful network he’s part of.
As SPIA prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary, Dave Bliss’s journey offers a meaningful example of how a public affairs education can influence careers in unexpected ways. His advice to current students is rooted in that experience: focus on learning, not just achievement. “Don’t just check the boxes. Learn how to learn. Build relationships. Apply broad concepts creatively. That’s what will carry you forward.”
