MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — Former Thurgood Marshall coach Darnell Hoskins was unanimously approved as the Middletown boys’ basketball coach at a special Board of Education meeting Thursday morning.
Hoskins, a former University of Dayton guard, has emphasized the desire to build athletic success through strong character, education and social skills in creating the “total student-athlete,” Middletown said in a release.
Middletown boys’ basketball coach Darnell Hoskins.
Hoskins, who played college basketball at Wisconsin, takes over at Middletown after Scott Kerr formally withdrew his name June 10. Kerr, a 1990 Middletown graduate, had been named the coach pending board approval the week before.
Hoskins, a former Chaminade-Julienne High School standout, coached Thurgood Marshall to state Final Four appearances in 2014 and 2011, including the Division II state runner-up in 2011.
“Darnell brings instant credibility to our boys' basketball program at Middletown,” Athletic Director Aaron Zupka said. “He has played and coached at a very high level, including the University of Wisconsin and professionally overseas. We want to restore the consistent level of excellence in the program. Darnell has proven he can do this.”
Hoskins also coached at Springfield High School prior to Thurgood Marshall.
Zupka said the Middies are looking forward to having Hoskins get started. Middletown opens the season Dec. 9 at Princeton.
“His ability to relate and connect to our kids will bring out the best in them,” Zupka said. “At the end of the day, our goal is to develop the best young men we can on and off the court. I’m very excited to have Darnell join the Middie family and can’t wait to get to work with him.”
This will be the final season of Wade E. Miller Gymnasium before the Middies open a new facility in 2017-18.
