Rams Hire Pullen, Barnes As Trotwood Basketball Coaches; Alstork Lands Job At Clark State
By Deon Cash
After Rocky Rockhold stepped down as the boys head coach of Trotwood HS, it provided a topic that the Rams wasn't ready for. They had already lost their girls coach in Hank Benton, so they would have to look for a new set of leaders for their basketball program with no offseason time to boot.
After a series of interviews, social media questions, and everything in between, the Rams brass selected Peter Pullen to take over the boys' basketball program and Larry Barnes to run the ladies program.
Pullen is one of the all-time greats in the coaching realm, as he led the Wolverines to multiple OHSAA Titles and coached some of the best talent ever assembled in Dayton's rich basketball history.
Pullen will bring on Andre Yates, a former Trotwood and Dunbar legend, and Dunbar big man Gary Akbar to be his varsity assistants on the staff.
With Carl Blanton back on the coaching staff, look for a resurgence in the Trotwood program, as they move from the "Rocky Era" which brought a OHSAA State Title and a couple of State Appearances as well for the Rams.
The "Rocky Era" could be debated as the best run ever in Trotwood hoop history.
Pullen has a gang of experience and will use that knowledge and his youhful staff to plug into a talented District who are ready to be back in the upper echelon of hoops in Ohio.
Larry Barnes has been a assistant coach for over a decade, and spent his most recent years under the Benton Era as his first assistant. Barnes, who was a former player himself (Belmont HS) will get his chance to run a program, as he has been a assistant in waiting for a long time.
"We are very pleased with the coaches we have selected." Jonas Smith, the Athletic Director of Trotwood stated.
Pullen, according to S.E.Live365, was a 2-1 bet to win the Trotwood job while Barnes was a 4-1 pick in our most recent update of the story months ago, so most are not suprised in the selections.
While the early stages could be interesting, the vibe is that this should start a new era for Ram Nation.
Congrats to the head coaches and the staff.
Is Ram Nation back and ready for takeoff? We will see in about two months.
Former Rams Assistant Lands Job With College
Quinton Alstork, a first assistant on the Rams sideline under the Rocky Rockhold regime, has accepted to be an assistant coach on the Clark State Basketball staff, per the reports.
Alstork, who has been a assistant coach in the high school ranks for the last 10 years, most recently was with the Rams last season after working with Steve Pittman and the Beavercreek staff two years ago. Now Alstork will get a chance to realize a dream by coaching in the college ranks.
"It's truly a blessing to get to this level as I have worked hard on my craft. I still have a lot of learning and developing to do, and this will definitely help me get to the next level." Alstork said.
Alstork has said he wants to coach a varsity high school program in the next couple of years, but also adds, "It would be a dream to be a head coach on the collegiate level as well. I feel blessed and appreciative of this opportunity."
Alstork is young (31) and one of the rising young coaches in Southwest Ohio, so this is a story to watch and see how it will unfold.
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