Before serving as the Director of Basketball Operations at Florida Gulf Coast University BJ Ivey served in Sarasota County Schools as a teacher and coach at Riverview High School. During his 13 years as head coach at Riverview High School, his teams won 270 games. They won eight district titles, appeared in the Regional Finals 3 times during Ivey’s tenure with the both the girl's and boy's teams. 

He was named Boys Coach of the Year by the Sarasota-Bradenton Herald Tribune in both 2011, 2012, & 2016. Ivey also lead The Rams to their only appearance in the State Finals in 2016 when Riverview fell to Coral Springs 61-57. Ivey's programs produced 5 Sarasota and Manatee County Player of the Year winners. He also spent 5 years coaching the Nike Team Florida who participated in Nike's prestigious Elite Youth Basketball League.

As a teacher, Ivey was named the 2017 Sarasota County Teacher of the Year. He was also awarded the Shine Award by Governor Rick Scott for greatly impacting the lives of students in the classroom. The Baltimore Orioles recognized Ivey as their 2018 Community Hero.

He was a standout player at Riverview High School and graduated in 2000. Ivey went on to play at the University of South Carolina – Aiken.