Riverside taps Kevin Wyatt as new head girls basketball coach
New Riverside head girls basketball coach Kevin Wyatt served as an assistant at Byrnes for 18 years. (PHOTO | KWAI COOK)
Riverside High School has announced Kevin Wyatt as its new head girls basketball coach.
The announcement was made at a school press conference on Monday evening. Wyatt has served as an assistant girls' coach at Byrnes for the past 18 years.
“I’m so happy. I’ve always said that it would take a really special job for me to leave Byrnes,” said Wyatt. “This is it. Most people don’t have the opportunity to take a job as prestigious as this for their first head coaching job. I’m blessed.”
Riverside athletic director Rob Hardy introduced Wyatt at Monday’s press conference, raving about the pedigree of the longtime Byrnes assistant.
“We had over 40 applicants for the job, and we wanted to make sure we got the best candidate to continue the success we have had,” said Hardy. “Kevin quickly rose to the top with his passion and enthusiasm as well as his basketball knowledge and work ethic.
“He knows our program very well — coaching against us at Byrnes — and he knows what it takes to win at this level in such a competitive region. We’re thrilled to have Kevin join the Warrior family.”
Hardy isn’t the only one thrilled for Wyatt. Although Byrnes head coach Missy Fowler will miss his help around the Lady Rebel program, she couldn’t be more excited for Wyatt’s new gig.
“I am so happy for Kevin and the opportunity ahead for him,” said Fowler. “He has meant so much to Byrnes basketball as a whole. He loves the game, but it’s the relationships that matter most to him. He will be missed, but I couldn’t be happier for him. Riverside is getting a good one.”
Wyatt is known for his high basketball IQ, energy, and ability to connect with players. (PHOTO | KWAI COOK)
Wyatt says he’s eager to get started with the Lady Warriors.
“I am so excited to get to know these girls and get to work on the court,” said Wyatt. “Typically, when you’re named a head coach, you aren’t inheriting a back-to-back 20-win program. These girls know how to play tough, and they know how to score the basketball.”
Riverside is coming off a 2023-2024 state championship victory and an appearance in the 2024-25 upper state semifinals. They will be led by seniors Kyndal Haroski and Sophia Powell next season, both previous all-region players.
Wyatt takes charge of a team primed to compete in Class 5-A Division 2 right away.
“I always saw myself as eventually being a head coach,” said Wyatt. “But it had to be the right spot. And Riverside? It’s absolutely perfect.”