BRV Hires New Boys' BB Coach

Peyton Russell will begin his head coaching career at BRV

At its Aug. 21, 2023 board meeting, Blue River Valley hired Mr. Peyton Russell as their PE/Health teacher and their next boys' head basketball coach. Russell comes to BRV from Columbus where he graduated from Columbus North High School. He has been an assistant coach at both the high school and collegiate levels.

He brings with him experience in a variety of coaching capacities including youth basketball development, high school and college individual player development, college athlete recruitment, high school summer camp coordinator, coordinator for college team trips, and high school and collegiate sideline coaching stints.

BRV athletic director, Mr. House, notes, "We are thrilled to add Peyton to our Blue River Valley family of teachers and coaches. Our selection committee was focused on finding an individual that is experienced, enthusiastic, focused, a great communicator, goal oriented, committed to the values of our school community, as well as someone who understood the rich history of our men’s basketball program. Peyton excels in all of those categories and we look forward to continuing successes with our program, both on and off the court."

COACH RUSSELL AT A GLANCE

Education:

* IUPUI -- Undergraduate in Sports Management

* Olivet Nazarene University -- Masters in Organizational Leadership

Basketball:

* 2021 - 2023 -- Graduate Assistant Basketball Coach at Olivet Nazarene University (Bourbonnais, IL)

* 2019 - 2021 -- Varsity Assistant at Perry Meridian High School (Indianapolis, IN)

* 2018 - 2019 -- JV/Varsity Assistant Coach at Columbus North High School (Columbus, IN)

COMMENTS FROM THE COACH

Q: Blue River Valley has a rich basketball tradition. What specifically attracted you to our program?

Coach Russell -- "I would say that the overall success of the program was what attracted me the most to this opportunity. The success that Blue River Valley High School has had over its history is not a coincidence by any means. The success has come because the players and community all share a great passion for basketball. I feel the same sort of passion for the game, and I can’t wait to represent the team and the community in the near future."

Q: What will your expectations be of your players and your program as the new head coach at BRV?

Coach Russell - "My expectations are that our players carry themselves in a professional manner on and off the basketball court. Whether it be on the court, in school, or in the community, I want the people to see the players on the basketball team and feel a great sense of pride that they represent Blue River Valley High School. Standards for players will be set high both in the classroom and on the basketball court in a way that leads to success."