Joey Russell chosen as the new George Wythe High School varsity boys’ basketball coach

By JIM CUNNINGHAM/Staff

Joey Russell knows he has a tough act to follow, but he’s ready for it.
Russell was chosen as the new head coach for the George Wythe boys’ basketball team during a Wythe County School Board meeting held last Thursday afternoon.
He takes over from Al Copenhaver who resigned the position this past season after guiding the Maroons to many victories over 22 seasons and capped it off this past winter by coaching the team to its first ever Group A, Division 2 state championship in basketball.
But Russell had a front-row seat to watching Copenhaver and the team make history because he has been the varsity assistant coach for the past five years.
“Coach Copenhaver built this program up and turned it into a high profile team,” said Russell, adding that he plans to continue that success.
Also, said Russell, “I want to help develop these young men into responsible adults…The boys know me and know what to expect from me.”
Russell found out about getting the position as he and the team were preparing to leave for a three-day tournament last week at Mars Hill College in North Carolina. “We had a team meeting on the bus,” he said, when asked how the players learned about him becoming the new coach.
Russell said the camp went very well. “They had a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of hustle,” he said. The team returned from the camp this past Saturday.
Although last year’s state championship team loses its five senior starters to graduation, Russell isn’t worried about those coming back. The non-starters still got a lot of playing time (due to many games being blowouts) and “they pushed (the starters) every day in practice,” he said. “I expect them to step up and play to the best of their abilities and become successful.”
In addition to the summer camp, Russell plans to have an open gym and will encourage his players to use the weight room during the off-season.
Russell said he will continue to be an assistant football coach (where he’s been for the past 13 years).
Russell was also the George Wythe junior varsity basketball coach for five years and the ninth grade basketball coach for three years. And he was also a successful head baseball coach at GW for nine years.
The coach plans to continue with the trademark Maroon defense. “Our defense will be full-court, man-to-man,” he said, although he noted that he would give consideration to a zone defense in certain situations. And on offense the team will continue with its focus on up-scale tempo. “We’re the Running ‘Roons, and we’ll continue to be the Running ‘Roons,” he said.
George Wythe High School Athletic Director Rusty Beamer is confident that Russell will take over and continue the program’s success. “He’ll do a fine job,” he said. “He learned a lot from Coach Copenhaver.
“Joey has a strong athletic background. He was a successful athlete in high school (Chilhowie) and he was a successful athlete in college (Mars Hill),” continued Beamer. “He showcased what he could do in baseball; he showcased what he could do in football; and now he gets a chance to showcase what he can do in basketball.”