Tracy Pope New Girls coach at Holmes

Per Mike Dyer 

Provided:
Tracy Pope, who coached the Holmes High School boys’ freshman basketball team for the past four years, will now serve as the coach of the Lady Bulldogs. Pope is a physical education teacher at Holmes, the school he graduated from in 2008. He is excited about his new duties. “I just want the opportunity to grow the game of basketball at Holmes and in the community that I love,’’ Pope said. Ken Ellis, Holmes’ athletic director, said the school was looking for an experienced coach who can foster strong relationships with the team members, parents and the community.
“Tracy already knows the kids, the team. He knows the parents,’’ Ellis said. “But most importantly, he knows basketball.’’
Pope, 33, was a member of the Bulldog teams that were competitive in the state. For instance, he was on the team in 2007 when the Bulldogs lost in the semi-finals. “The community was buzzing and excited to see a group of kids from Holmes playing basketball down state,” Pope said. “The community was large. I want to bring that back in any way I can.”
Pope said his teammates, coaches, family and friends encouraged him to continue his education and pursue coaching. Pope earned a bachelor’s degree from Northern Kentucky University, where he is working on a master’s in teaching.
He and his wife, Ashley, are the proud parents of two children, Trace and Rylie.