Newton High School athletics will have to overcome many challenges as coaching changes have been made. Football, girls tennis, boys and girls basketball, softball, and baseball are a few teams that will experience coaching changes this year.
Football
Taylor Counts is the new head football coach after coach Greg Slade left to coach at Santa Fe Trail High School. Counts has coached for 11 years with experience in the Kansas City area, Wichita South East High School, and most recently, Andover High School. Counts was willing to challenge himself when the head coach job opened up at Newton; he said Newton was a great opportunity for him.
One of Counts’ goals for the year is to compete until the final whistle. Counts expects his team to buy into his implemented standard: “Go Win Today.” Through many pre-season workouts and early practices, Counts is ready to lead his team for the season opener on Sept. 6.
Counts’ coaching philosophy: “Be the role model figure, be the first one at everything, last one to leave, hold the guys accountable, and do everything to make sure the guys are successful both on and off the field.”
Girls Tennis
Nick Sisson is returning to the girls’ tennis coaching staff after taking a year off. Jennifer Duncan is the returning head tennis coach; Sisson will serve as an assistant coach. Sisson has 26 years of coaching experience with 23 of those being at Newton High School.
Sisson wishes to help his players improve their skills and be successful this season. To lead his team, Sisson plans to build relationships with his players that will help improve their skills.
“The best part of coaching is watching kids exceed their own expectations,” Sisson said.
Boys Basketball
Paul Reichenberger is the new head boys’ basketball coach to replace former coach Demetric Williams. Reichenberger has five years of coaching experience all at McPherson High School. Family called Reichenberger to Newton as his wife, Anneliese Reichenberger, was hired as the new German teacher at Newton High School.
With his upcoming season, Reichenberger hopes to host a sub-state basketball game at NHS, increase the team’s perception of basketball, and make sure players and fans are enjoying the basketball experience at NHS. Reichenberger will lead his team by teaching them how to conduct themselves and be great players.
Reichenberger is most excited to: “Build relationships with players, coach on Friday nights with a packed gym, and get some wins.”
Girls Basketball
The senior class will go through their third coach in four years as Justin Schneider takes over as head coach of the girls basketball team. Since 2012, Schneider has been involved with the USD 373 school district in some capacity. Schneider’s coaching experience stems back 12 years for both Halstead and Newton High School.
Schneider wishes to revive the team’s rich tradition throughout the season as he works to build a strong culture. With many adaptations, Schneider will have to find ways to coach his girls to work every day as a team and win “small victories.” Schneider is excited to build a new program and share his passion for basketball in the years to come.
“It is going to take a lot of relationship building with these girls,” Schneider said. “I will have to be consistent and show them how much I want them to succeed. I want to give them a positive send-off as they pursue their endeavors outside of high school. Then continue the groundwork I have laid with our younger classes who have just played at Chisholm with me over the last two seasons.”
Softball
After hearing great things about Newton, Brittanee Knepper decided to accept the head girls softball coaching job. Knepper has a broad coaching background through one year at a junior college, four years at Wellington High School, and four years at the middle school level.
Knepper said she wants to build a culture with players and their families, have open communication, and set attainable goals for her players. Knepper expects the season to have challenges but also to build relationships and enjoy the game.
Kneppers coaching philosophy: “Help the people that help you, whether it’s the people that take care of the fields or clean up the stadiums– we are going to do the right thing because it is what makes you feel whole inside not just because it is what’s expected.
Baseball
Evan Gilbert has been coaching baseball in Newton since 2015 and has accepted the head coaching position for the Railer baseball team. With a position change, Gilbert knows that he will have to find a new balance of satisfying the needs of players, coaches, and parents.
Gilbert hopes to have a large number of players join the team to have a full C team roster. Off-season training will be a focus for Gilbert as he strengthens the program. Gilbert said he will give everything he can to the program and he hopes for patience as he finds balance in his new role.
“Mark George has been a terrific mentor during the first part of this transition. His willingness to help has made this much more smooth. Mr. George has left the program in a great spot, which will help me get footing through my first year as the baseball program leader,” Gilbert said.
