MADISON  – Tyler O’Hara, who has coached the St. Joseph middle school basketball team for eight years, has been named head varsity basketball coach for St. Joseph High School. O’Hara, 31, who currently teaches 12th grade English and handles discipline at the school, will take over a team that went 24-4 this year – winning the district tournament and making it all the way to the third round of the state playoffs.
“I’m honored that principal Doug Jones and athletic director Todd Lott have entrusted me with the future of our basketball team,” O’Hara said. “We have a great group of athletes at our school, and I look forward to building on the success we have had with our basketball program.”
O’Hara will take over from former basketball Coach Nick Stamps, who resigned at the end of the 2015-2016 season. O’Hara will continue to teach English classes while also taking care of his basketball coaching responsibilities.
O’Hara, a New Orleans native, has a bachelor’s degree in English from Millsaps College. Lott said   O’Hara brings a lot of valuable experience to the coaching position – including his familiarity with the school’s student athletes and a strong, passionate love for the game of basketball.
Jones said he also has been impressed with O’Hara and what he brings to the table. Jones said that O’Hara’s knowledge of basketball and his desire to help students become better players and student athletes will keep a strong basketball program headed in the right direction.
“This is a great move for our school, our athletes and Coach O’Hara,” Jones said. “Tyler’s dedication to his players, to our students and to our school will make an already great athletic department and academic institution that much stronger.”