Rich Newlon returns to Viking Village as girls head basketball coach

Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School is proud to announce the hiring of Rich Newlon as the next girls basketball coach for the Vikings.

Newlon is a familiar face at Viking Village as he previously served as an assistant coach on the staff of boys basketball coach Babe Kwasniak '94 and was part of three state championship teams in 2013, 2015, and 2017.

Newlon, 48, coached girls basketball in California before moving to Ohio. He got into coaching because of his sons, Noah (VASJ grad 2017/state champion) and Rowen, and served two years as an assistant at Mayfield.

Newlon came to VASJ in 2013 when he joined Kwasniak's staff and in his five years with the boys program, the Vikings went to five straight state title games and won three championships.

"VASJ is VASJ - boys or girls - it is a premier place to be a coach at. Nobody can tell me different," Newlon said. "There have been some very good coaches before me and I am extremely excited to be back at the Village. I am very comfortable there. It will be like I never left."

While this is Newlon's first job as a head coach, he knows what it takes to get the most out of his players and be a key part of an elite program.

"When I coach I give my best. Athletes are athletes and want to be their best, I won't waver on that or give them anything less than all I have. They deserve my best," Newlon said.

"I have always had the goal to be a head coach. After years as an assistant you say, 'Can I do this?' .... I am honored and excited for this opportunity and we have goals to strive for."

As for switching from coaching boys to coaching girls, Newlon is more focused on teaching the sport and instilling certain characteristics into the program.

"I first started out coaching girls. The girls game is more pure and it is basketball in its purest form.

"What I want my teams to be known for is mental toughness, attention to detail, willingness to compete. I want to be able to represent the school in best way possible. I want my teams to be respected and feared."

Newlon graduated from John Glenn High School in New Concord, OH. He went to college in California and earned a degree in MIS from the University of Phoenix. He has two sons with his wife, Marci.