SSN Coach Profile: John Ashworth, boys basketball

Delaney Crace

Coach John Ashworth joined the HSE Royals Boys Basketball team as of the 2020-2021 year after the former coach, Brian Satterfield announced that he would become the Girls Basketball head coach. Ashworth is a PE and APC teacher at Hamilton Southeastern. Before being hired at HSE, Ashworth was the head coach at Decatur Central High School for 6 years. “At Decatur,” says Ashworth, “We were able to really revamp the basketball program and create a winning culture”. While he was at Decatur, his team was conference champions in 2018 and had back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in 60 years. Before being the head coach at Decatur, Ashworth was the assistant coach at Franklin Central, where his team won 3 sectional titles in a row.

Ashworth says that his students can usually find him in the weight room or with his PE classes. Outside of teaching and coaching, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Rayven, and his two daughters, Wren and Averie. “We love to have fun, spend time together, and be active”. Ashworth goes on to describe his family as being “supportive and awesome”. He also enjoys spending time with friends, golfing, and overall relaxing in his free time. He also played Division I basketball at IUPUI prior to his coaching career.

He wishes to teach and emphasize three important things for his athletes- attitude, effort, and pride. “Those are areas that we can control. I want our players to understand that I care about them and their development as young men,” He continues, “Being a part of the Royals basketball program is something they should enjoy,” and he hopes to create lasting memories for his players. He expresses that the coaching staff really wants their athletes to be successful not only on the court but off of the court as well.