Marion Harding High School has announced that Donald Worstell, a basketball coach with championship experience and strong local ties, will be Harding’s head basketball coach. The Marion City Schools Board of Education recently voted to hire Worstell. He succeeds Roger Jury, who coached Marion Harding for eight years.
Worstell brings 25 years of coaching experience to the position. He’s spent the previous five seasons as head coach of Bishop Ready High School in Columbus. While at Ready, Coach Worstell’s teams made three district final appearances, won two district championships and two regional championships, and made two state final four appearances including one this past season. He was named the District 10 Coach of the Year in 2010.
He coached at Franklin Heights High School in Columbus prior to his stint at Bishop Ready. The team experienced the most wins in 34 years during his second year as coach.
He also coached Elgin High School for seven seasons, taking his team to three Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference titles and four district appearances. He was named the District 11 Coach of the Year in 2006 while coaching Elgin.
Worstell started his coaching career as the junior varsity boys basketball coach at Ridgedale High School in 1989. He’s also coached at North Union High School.
“This is the second opportunity I have had to hire Don,” Marion City Schools Superintendent Gary Barber said. “He did a great job at Franklin Heights and is a highly respected educator.”
Harding athletic director Sean Kearns said Worstell will “bring a lot of enthusiasm, energy” to the program.
“We are excited to add Coach Worstell to our athletic team here at Harding High School,” Kearns said. “His experience is tremendous, and his track record speaks for itself. He has been successful in every stop in his basketball coaching career. We welcome Coach Worstell to Marion Harding and are looking forward to collaborating with him and his basketball staff.”
Worstell, who lives in Prospect, said he’s excited to get this opportunity.
“I am a Marion kid, grew up in Marion,” he said. “I’m very excited to come back to the Marion area and the MOAC.”
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