The Sebring School Board has approved Lee Knepp as a men’s basketball coach.
Knepp, a 2005 Marlington High School graduate and three sports athlete who has spent the past 10 years coaching at Lake Middle School, was recommended by a four-member committee to the school board.
Knepp, who has no previous high school head coaching experience, succeeds Brian Clark, who resigned after serving two different terms (2000-2010, 2018-2021) in charge of the program, posting a record 203 -138, highlighted by a division IV. final state four appearance in 2004.
“It was a great opportunity to have the chance to launch a program where [basketball] is important, “said Knepp, 34.” I feel I have gained invaluable coaching experience in a place with a great nutrition system and good alignment between college and college. high school.
During Knepp’s tenure as coach, Tom McBride served as Lake’s varsity coach and the Blue Streaks produced winning teams every year during his two-decade run, highlighted by a Division I regional finalist appearance. in 2014.
“Coach McBride did a great job educating me about [coaching], “Knepp it.” I learned the X’s and Bones from him. “
Knepp played high school basketball in Marlington. Rich Venuto, now Lake’s assistant athletic director, was college coach Knepp’s first season. Dennis Tucci took over from Venuto before the 2002-03 season. Knepp, a guard, went to college as a junior and played two seasons for Tucci.
“Taylor Porter, a good friend, Nate Rodgers and Michael Stanek were our [prominent players] when I was just a role actor, ”Knepp said with a laugh.
Knepp also played football at Marlington and was part of the 2001 playoff team coached by Ryan Spicer. He was a sprinter for the track team coached by Bob Dagenhardt.
“I had great coaches and great teammates at Marlington,” said Knepp, who grew up in Lexington Township and went on to play college football in Marietta.
After graduating from college, Knepp returned to the local school district of Marlington as a teacher at Washington Elementary School. A year later he moved to Lake.
“I liked the training in the program, but I felt ready to see if I could lead a program,” Knepp said. “I’m glad the committee thought enough of me to offer me the job, as Sebring has a great basketball tradition, which dates back to when Rick Brook was head coach and continued with Brian.”
While Knepp has been offered a head coach position at Sebring, he will continue to teach elementary math and science at Lake.
“It will be a challenge to divide the time between the two schools, but I love the coaching and am willing to put in the extra hours needed,” he said.
With the school year about to come to an end, Knepp realizes that he will have to start as a new head coach. Getting hired late will pose another challenge, but he has already organized a plan on what needs to be done to help players transition to a new head coach.
“I will meet with the team on May 24 and start coordinating summer activities,” Knepp said. Our summer program will start in June and my priorities are planning open gymnasiums, training staff, evaluating our staff, setting up a system and getting kids into the leagues. ‘summer. “
With the regular season in several months, Knepp took a look at the 2021-2022 schedule. that breaks down into 14 Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference games and eight non-conference opponents. A non-conference competition intrigued him as it struck near his home.
“Brian told me we were to play Marlington at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland,” Knepp said. “It will be an interesting experience.”
While the head coach job is exciting, the only downside is that Ron Knepp, his father and former Waterloo football coach, won’t be able to watch and criticize his son during games. The elder Knepp passed away earlier this year.
“It’s always tough for my mom, sister and me,” said Knepp, who is single. “He was not only my father, he was my role model.”
Lee Knepp now has the chance to be a role model for the Sebring basketball players.
“Sebring has a proud program with a [winning culture] and I will do my best to help the players preserve this culture, ”he said.