New Head Coach: Future Fit, Family Ties lead Hart to Jasper
By Kris Norton and Drew Hasselbring
Jasper - After a two-month search, Jasper Athletics introduced new Head Football Coach Derek Hart upon approval at Monday's school board meeting.
"Thank you guys for putting your trust in me," Hart said at Monday's introduction. "I promise you, I'll work hard and I'll do everything I can. Not just winning and losing, but raising these young boys into men."
Though Hart doesn't hail from Jasper, family ties quickly put him on Jasper's radar. Hart's sister, Brittany Maners, is in her third year as varsity girls' basketball coach at Jasper. Brother-in-law, Jared Maners leads the Oakland City University Sprint Football program. Derek's older brother, Nick, has a state title to his name at nearby Gibson Southern. The Hart patriarch, John, has taken four teams to state finals games, most recently Brownsburg this past season.
For Jasper Athletic Director Phil Kendall, the search came down to three factors.
"I was looking for someone who was going to check three boxes for me," Kendall said. "I wanted somebody who was younger, had coaching experience, and carried energy and passion for football."
The search comes to a close after previous Head Coach Tony Lewis retired after six seasons at the helm in November.