Following graduation, Bexley student athletes disperse across the country in pursuit of collegiate and professional careers in sports. After the end of their playing careers, a few return to coach the next generation of student athletes.
Varsity baseball head coach Brett Counts said coaching at his alma mater has provided additional motivation to be successful.
“When I was in Canal Winchester and Hamilton Township, I cared and I wanted to win, but it just wasn’t the same as being here,” he said. “This is where I live. My family lives here, my parents still live here. We’ve been ingrained in Bexley ever since I came through.”
Varsity boys golf and tennis head coach Will Gingery said his high school coaches were major influences in his life. Coaching at Bexley provides an opportunity to make an impact on the next generation of student athletes, he added.
Gingery said previous Bexley coaches taught him the importance of camaraderie among teammates, and he attempts to do the same for his players.
“I try to prioritize with all of my teams, whatever sport it is, that we are a team and you are a part of something bigger than yourself,” he said. “When everyone is on the same page and puts the team first, good things usually come from that.”
Varsity softball assistant coach Bethany Barnes said she aims to foster an environment in which players can ask coaches for guidance in areas outside of their sport.
“We are much more of a supportive and competitive culture that cares about winning and the athlete’s future,” she said.
Barnes added this openness was not an aspect of the culture when she played in the program.
Barnes explained a major difference from when she played at the high school is the skill level of the players, in part because of the number of players who try out. When she played, there were not enough players to fill a full varsity and JV team, she said.
“All of our varsity athletes are miles ahead of where I was even on varsity as a senior back in 2012,” Barnes said. “The level of competition is just that much higher.”
Counts said he has noticed a heightened belief that every athlete should get equal playing time.
“A lot of people think because it’s a sport and it’s at Bexley that everyone should be able to do everything,” he said. “That is not the case.”
He explained the middle school and JV levels are where players can develop, so playing time will be more equal, but the varsity team will always put the best possible lineup on the field.
“The goal at the varsity level of any sport should be to win games,” he said. “That’s it. Win games. This is not Bexley Rec.”
Counts said one of his goals as head coach was to restore the culture that existed when he played. He added aspects like accountability and strong standards are key.
“I wanted to make sure when I became head coach that I had those pieces in place to bring success back to the program,” he explained.
Published and digitized April 2026.
