By Ken Jackson
Sports Writer

St. Cloud High’s Chad Ansbaugh has to wear a hard hat in the Bulldogs’ new gym, which will open in September.

It’s symbolic of the work he’ll have to do to breath life into the once-proud girls basketball program.

The former Bulldog and the school’s athletic director will be the team’s sixth coach in six seasons this winter. St. Cloud, which won the 1994 Class 3A state championship, hasn’t been to the playoffs in six seasons.

He replaces Shanel Davidson, who led a young team to five regular-season wins and a victory at the 4A District 6 tournament. Her teaching position was not renewed.

When the search for the new coach began, Ansbaugh said there were no teaching positions available to bring someone in from outside. The itch to coach again bit him, and he said he just couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

“I’ve been trying to build the athletic program a certain way,” he said. “So, it doesn’t hurt for the other coaches here to see me practice what I preach.”

He said he is aware of the challenges of coaching a team and running the athletic program. The county’s new activities coordinator, Ryan Adams, is implementing a policy where athletic directors may no longer coach. Ansbaugh is grandfathered in.

“I know exactly what I’m signing up for, and I’m not concerned about it. As the AD I’m going to be at most of the games anyway,” he said. “My bigger concern is the kids.

“Am I the long-term solution? I don’t know, but I do know that when I’m done we will have established a foundation for the next coach that will be about competing and not rebuilding.”

The Lady Bulldogs have not been to the regional playoffs since current Bulldogs boys basketball coach Tim McMullen took them there in the 2004-05 season. Since then, John Moore, Brad Lennox, Ron Riley and Davidson have taken one-season turns with the team.

He spent the summer acquainting himself with the team, coaching them in the county’s Midnight Summer League.

Ansbaugh also has filled other Bulldogs coaching openings. Ettie Singleton, who came from Gateway to coach volleyball, also  will coach girls track, with Kevin Harkema taking over the boys program.

Alexander Skodnik, a former girls soccer coach at Osceola, will take the same role at St. Cloud. Former Bulldog Cory Aun will coach weightlifting, and Mike McDaniel comes from upstate Pennsylvania to take over the baseball program.

The flag football job remains open, Ansbaugh said, as the school continues to review its list of open teaching positions.