On Thursday, May 18,
Little Miami Schools and the Panthers' athletic department announced that Scott Kerr, who has been a head coach in Greater Cincinnati for 18 years, has been named their next boy's basketball head coach, pending board of education approval at their next meeting on Tuesday, May 23.
Kerr is a proven winner and brings a significant coaching resume with him into the Warren County community, which will certainly set the stage for the Panthers to be an immediate contender in the rugged Eastern Cincinnati Conference.
With 236 career wins to his credit, Kerr has found a formula for winning everywhere he has been. In 18 seasons as varsity head coach, Kerr's previous experience around Greater Cincinnati includes two years at Colerain High School and a seven-year stint at Purcell Marian. Before that, he was the head coach at Clark Montessori for six years, and Mariemont High School for three.
But the key to getting him to LMHS was the 28-year friendship he's built with LMHS athletic director Matt Louis. "I have been fortunate to coach many outstanding players over the last 18 years. We've built programs that have won many games, and competed regularly for district and regional titles, including a run to the OHSAA Final Four," said Kerr. "However, those achievements pale in comparison to the relationships I have developed with the young men who have played in those programs. They continue to be an important part of my life today, and I intend to establish that same culture here at Little Miami. The character traits and leadership skills we'll emphasize in our program will endure long after basketball ends," Kerr continued. "I know this blueprint will dovetail the values of Little Miami, too."
Kerr's coaching journey began 28 years ago in 1995 when the then 21-year-old Miami University grad was hired by former Mason athletic director Rod Russell and head basketball coach Greg Richards to lead the Comets freshman team. And at the time, Little Miami AD Matt Louis was a guard on Kerr's first team. That season for the Comets turned out to be a titanic struggle for the young coach, and the season concluded in a 2-18 rookie campaign. But that's just the beginning of where Kerr and Louis' friendship began, and that season was only the opening act for what would propel Kerr into becoming one of Greater Cincinnati's best high school basketball coaches.
Since then, the 1990 Middletown High School grad has logged 236 career wins. 106 of those victories occurred at Purcell Marian from 2014-2021 when he led the Cavaliers to two Greater Catholic League Coed championships, a district runner-up finish, four district titles, and a regional championship. And in 2019, the Cavaliers made it to Columbus and into the OHSAA state semifinal where they faced 26-2 Canal Winchester Harvest Prep and fell to the eventual state champion 48-41.
Before his tenure at Purcell, Kerr spent six seasons (2008-2014) as the head coach at Clark Montessori where he compiled two league championships and a record of 96-42. In addition, the Cougars claimed their first league, sectional, and district championships in school history during that time.
Kerr's first head coaching opportunity at the varsity level came when he led Mariemont High School for three seasons from 2005-2008.
"Its been nearly three decades, and we're still close friends," said Little Miami athletic director Matt Louis. "When Scott says his core focus when building a program is the lifelong relationship he builds with the players he's leading, he means it."
"Scott is a great teacher, communicator, and coach. His resume speaks for itself," Louis continued. "However, with him, you're also getting an incredible husband, father, and person. That is what the kids of this community and basketball program deserve."
Kerr replaces Brian Lawhon who departed after three years leading the Panthers. Lawhon guided Little Miami through the Covid Pandemic and almost impossible coaching odds, and last season the Panthers logged their first double-digit win season (10-13) since going 16-6 in 2016.
With that, Kerr inherits a roster that does have players returning who earned significant playing time last season. Leading the way for Little Miami will be rising senior guard Elisha Jones. Jones was a second-team All-ECC performer in 2022-23 and presents the ability to score in bunches, as he racked up 189 points for the Panthers last season. Also seeing a significant amount of action last season is rising senior Jake Wittenauer. Wittenauer is a traditional shooting guard and has great 3-point accuracy and range. As a junior, Wittenauer logged 160 points while making 46-of-99 three-pointers on his way to being named honorable mention All-ECC. Also expected to be a big contributor next season, is 6-4 rising junior forward Carter Sellars. As a sophomore, Sellars' chipped in 65 points but has limitless athletic potential. In addition, don't be surprised to see significant contributions from 6-5 forward Jacob Gearhart and rising junior guard Jackson Reynolds.
Little Miami opens its 2023-24 season on Friday, December 1 at home against ECC rival Walnut Hills High School. A link to the Panthers 2023-24 boys' basketball schedule is available
HERE!
"We played Little Miami at Colerain last season, so I've got a good idea of the talent returning on the roster. I'm excited to get started and I'm sure the kids are too," said Kerr. "I told Louie (Matt Louis), the goal here would be to coach and build this program until we get to retirement. With the Department infrastructure that's already in place here and the obvious growth trends the community is seeing, we both believe Little Miami is a place where our goals for young people are limitless."
Professionally, Coach Kerr has taught social studies for 28 years, a position he's held at Live Oaks Career Development Campus since 2008. He received his bachelor's degree in social studies education from Miami University and his master's degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Cincinnati. Kerr and his wife Missy reside in Mason and have five adult-aged kids, including two sons and three daughters.
Following the 2023-24 season, first-year head coach Scott Kerr led a historic 17-win campaign which catapulted The Cats into ECC supremacy and finished No. 2 in the ECC. During the regular season, Little Miami knocked off rivals Lebanon twice and Kings once. Additionally, they won 15 of their last 19 games and proceeded to advance further into the OHSAA postseason than any team in LMHS history by defeating No. 4 Goshen in dramatic fashion and No. 12 Anderson 59-55 before falling in Round 2 59-43 to No. 1 Moeller.
Year: Organization (Position)
1995-2005: Mason High School (Assistant Coach)
2005-2008: Mariemont High School (Head Coach) 28-35 Record.
2008-14: Clark Montessori High School (Head Coach) 96-42 Record.
2014-21: Purcell Marian High School (Head Coach) 106-74 Record.
2021-23: Colerain High School (Head Coach) 6-40 Record.
2023-Present: Little Miami High School (Head Coach)
