After a 10-day external and internal search, John Kovar was named Thorndale’s athletic director and head coach.
“Kovar is a proven winner,” Thorndale ISD Superintendent Adam Ivy said. “He’s shown himself to be a great balance of intensity and compassion and the kids would run through a wall for him.”
Kovar, a native of Thorndale, has worked as a positions coach at Thorndale for the last seven years.
“I have always loved coaching football and I am from the area,” Kovar said. “I’ve served as the boys’ basketball and track coach at Thorndale, so I already have a bond with many of the players.”
Kovar brings a large amount of experience with him to the position. He has served as an offensive coordinator, quarterbacks’ coach and wide receivers’ coach during his 20-year coaching career.
He was offensive coordinator in Rockdale before he was tapped to lead the basketball team in Thorndale in 2013.
Kovar knows he has big shoes to fill as the previous coach led Thorndale to back-to-back playoff appearances. Kovar says he plans to keep the streak alive.
“I plan to continue the winning tradition at Thorndale,” Kovar said. “I want to win for the kids and for the town of Thorndale.”
Kovar said he expects student athletes to play the game at a high level and learn some new offensive concepts this season.
“Since I’ve been here for seven years, the kids and parents already know what they can expect from me,” Kovar said. “We’re going to work hard and we’re going to compete like crazy.”
Ivy said Kovar has the community’s approval and he expects the Bulldogs to continue competing at a high level.
“Expectations are always to win and he knows that,” Ivy said. “He has full support from myself and the town. I know he will embrace the challenge head-on.”
During Kovar’s time on the Thorndale basketball team, (1990-94), the Bulldogs earned playoff berths all four years. His senior year, THS fell in the area playoff game against University City Randolph High School 61-59.
He attended Sam Houston State University.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.