The Springfield City School District has named two veteran coaches to lead the high school girls basketball and high school boys soccer programs.
Brooks Russell will serve as the Varsity Girls Basketball Head Coach. Russell began his basketball coaching career in the District at the boys middle school level, before moving to the Varsity Assistant Coach position on the high school girls staff last year.
Throughout these experiences, Russell said he learned the importance of relationships and skill development, which has allowed him to grow as a coach. “I am excited to take on the role of Head Coach for the girls program, and I look forward to building on the success that the team had last season,” he said. “I am also looking forward to building a sense of community that will help student-athletes succeed in life after playing basketball.”
Russell is a Clark County native and also a Social Studies teacher at Springfield High School.
Gary Kopp has been named the Varsity Boys Soccer Head Coach. Kopp has nearly 10 years of coaching experience in the District, previously leading the Varsity Tennis and JV Boys Soccer teams.
Kopp said he has always valued the impact that coaching has on students and the community. “I plan to continue the hard work and growth the soccer program has established,” he said. “I consider it a privilege to coach such a wonderful group of young men.”
In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Kopp also serves the District as a Social Studies teacher at Schaefer Middle School, where he has taught for eight years.