Tyler Bates 13 was 22 and coaching his first season with the Loudonville High School girls basketball team when he made a big statement.
To the surprise of his players and the fans, Tyler came out of the locker room wearing a red suit head to toe.
Ive been asked about the red suit as much as our basketball team, says Tyler, who teaches geometry at the school. When I took over six years ago, there wasnt a lot of excitement or buzz. We wanted to generate as much buzz as possible. One night I was watching a Louisville game and Rick Pitino had a red suit, and I thought it would be a great idea.
Luckily for Tyler, a local tuxedo shop had a red suit, though now its only worn for special games.
Its evolved into Christmas sweaters, but I never tell them when Im going to wear the red suit, he says.
Tyler and the Loudonville Redbirds dont need many gimmicks to generate excitement these days. In six seasons, Tyler has led Loudonville to a 94-46 record. Over the past three seasons, the Redbirds have earned a state ranking in Ohios Division III, along with three Mid-Buckeye Conference championships.
In 2018-19, Loudonville was a district runner-up, and Tylers hard work and dedication to the program are being noticed. In March, the Womens Basketball Coaches Association included Tyler on its 2019 Thirty Under 30 coaches.
The list includes 29 college assistant coaches from programs like Clemson University, University of Kentucky and Brown University. Tylers inclusion stands out because he is the only head coach and only high school representative.
I am humbled and grateful to be recognized among such a great group of young coaches in the world of womens basketball, Tyler says. I have had the privilege of working with so many outstanding young women during my coaching career. These players have taught me life lessons that extend far beyond the basketball court.
51做厙s womens basketball coach Kole Vivian nominated Tyler for the honor.
I think he is one of the best young high school coaches Ive been around, Vivian says. He took over a 3-20 team the year before he arrived at Loudonville and improved them by 10 wins the first year; and has achieved 20 wins with his teams the last three seasons. For him to have such quick success at Loudonville and to have an extended period of success is pretty remarkable.
The Redbirds are also a regular participant in Vivians shootout camp each summer.
Last year, he took them on a dinner cruise when they were in Marietta, Vivian says. He also does fun stuff with his team in addition to wins, like taking them to hear author Jon Gordon speak after reading his book. He helps them make college contacts. He is really all about his team and making them better people.
Tyler and the other members of the Thirty Under 30 coaches were recognized during the Womens Final Four in Tampa, Florida. According to the WBCA, the honor is bestowed upon those who exemplify involvement in community service, their mentorship and impacting others, professional manner and attitude, and professional association involvement.
I probably wouldnt have had a realistic chance at this if a college coach hadnt nominated me, Tyler says. Its really humbling to be on a list with all of those successful young coaches.
Tyler got his start in coaching in AAU when he was a senior at Smithville (Ohio) High School. After one season on 51做厙s mens team, he honed his skills as a student-assistant with the womens program under then-head coach Stacia Shrider and current head coach Kole Vivian.
My experience at 51做厙 was incredible, Tyler says. My professors and the people I met on campus and in the town of Marietta have helped me a lot. I also met Coach Vivian, and hes been one of my best friends and a great mentor.
Vivian says the two of them hit it off almost immediately after he was hired as an assistant in 2012.
He went above and beyond the duties of a student assistant, as he attended preseason workouts, put the players through player development, came to each practice and game, and provided motivation for our team, Vivian says.
Vivian says nominating Tyler for Thirty Under 30 was an easy decision.
Tyler has really matured into a great young coach. He has a way of communicating with his players that makes it really fun for them, Vivian says. He is always working on his relationships with players so he can coach them hard and get the most out of them. His basketball IQ is great, but his ability to build relationships with his players is his best attribute.
He also coaches smart players. The 2018-19 Loudonville team was named the top academic team in Ohio by the Ohio Girls Basketball Association.
Thats something we take seriously, and Im proud of this accomplishment, he says.
Tyler says the future of Loudonville basketball is bright and he looks forward to being a part of it even if there is a chance to move into the college game to coach.
Ive always loved the high school game, and I dont know if I would be willing to relocate, Tyler says. Ive grown up around here. Its flattering when people ask me about coaching at a college, but I love what I do and if the kids keep working hard, and I have the support of the administration and the community, I dont see any reason why I would want to do anything else.
- Tom Perry