Emily Brislen and Bryan Ashby have been named Stark County Coaches of the Year, with the Louisville softball coach and the Hoover baseball coach taking the top honors in their respective categories.
The two coaches were voted on by readers, with Brislen receiving 73.59% of the vote and Ashby receiving 70.25% of the vote, out of a total of 7,200 cast overall.
Brislen's team made it to the state tournament, finishing as the Division III state runner-up, while Ashby's team won a Division II regional title and made it to the state tournament for the first time since 1999.
Both coaches have had impressive seasons, with their teams achieving great success in their respective sports.
The voting was part of a broader look back at the best of the 2025-26 school year in Stark County, with readers voting to determine the top teams, coaches, and athletes of the past 11 months.
The OHSAA sports season has now come to an end, but the achievements of coaches like Brislen and Ashby will be remembered for a long time.
Emily Brislen's team has made it to the state tournament multiple times, but this season's runner-up finish was one of their best performances in years.
Brislen's leadership and coaching skills have been instrumental in the team's success, and she is widely respected by her peers and players.
Bryan Ashby's team's regional title win was a historic moment for the school, and Ashby's coaching has been credited with bringing the team to new heights.
The Canton Repository sports department can be contacted via email at sports@cantonrep.com for more information on the voting and the coaches.
The voting results are a testament to the hard work and dedication of both coaches, and their achievements will be celebrated in Stark County for years to come.
Readers can watch Ohio High School Sports Live on the NFHS Network for all the action from the 2025-26 school year.
The success of coaches like Brislen and Ashby will serve as inspiration to future generations of coaches and athletes in Stark County.
Source: Yahoo Sports