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Wapak grad to take reins of varsity team |
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Wednesday, 25 June 2008 |
Former boys basketball coach to replace Rex in girls’ program
By KAREN CAMPBELL
Staff Writer
With the resignation of a four-year varsity girls basketball coach Tuesday night, a new coach with varsity boys experience will be taking the helm of the girls program at Wapakoneta High School.
Brad Rex, who will take over as athletic director for Wapakoneta City Schools in July, resigned from his coaching position during Tuesday’s Wapakoneta City Schools Board of Education meeting.
He helped pick his replacement, a task he said was tough.
Rusty Allen, a 1991 graduate of Wapakoneta High School, was selected to lead the program. The Wapakoneta resident was the only one of six candidates with varsity coaching experience.
“I knew how the program should be run and we needed someone who knew how to run a program since it is getting late into the summer,” Rex said. “I also wanted someone with energy about getting going.
“It was tough for me to give up,” he said. “I enjoyed working with the girls and I want them to continue on and get better.”
Allen coached varsity boys for two years at Ada High School before moving on to Parkway where he was a teacher, athletic director and varsity boys basketball coach for three years. He took a break from coaching to spend more time with his family when he took a teaching job at Bath Middle School.
“He’s ready to get back into coaching,” said Rex, who added that there were no open Middle School teaching positions at this time.
The Lady Redskins ended the 2007-08 season with a 13-8 record, losing in the sectional finals to Celina.
Rex said it was a good record for a team that battled injuries and sickness throughout the year. Despite losing four seniors, the team returns four starters next year.
“There was nothing on the books that says you can’t do both (be athletic director and coach),” Rex said. “I honestly thought about doing both, but then I thought both jobs would suffer and I didn’t think that was fair to do that to the girls. I enjoy coaching, but I’m looking forward to being an athletic director now. But I’ll never say never about being a coach again.”
School board members accepted his resignation Tuesday night.
“You did a good job,” board member Eric McKinniss said. “Good luck on your new position.” |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 26 June 2008 )
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