Beech Tree News Network

When Butler County sports get back into action in the late summer there will be two new faces stalking the sidelines as head coaches. Brian Bivens has been hired as the new BCHS girls basketball coach, and JR Bryant will be the new head football coach at Butler County Middle School.

Bryant comes to Butler County from Kentucky Wesleyan College, where he has been in the staff for several years. Most recently Bryant was the head recruiter for KWC, and the assistant defensive coordinator. A defensive specialist, he has studied under some of the formative minds in modern college football, including Ohio Stare University coach Urban Meyer.

The new coach says his first task will be to implement the same offensive and defensive schemes at BCMS that are favored by BCHS head coach Ryan Emmick.

"When my kids get to high school I want them to know how to play Butler County football from their first day of practice," said Bryant on Wednesday night's episode of THE BUTLER COUNTY SPORTS JAM on WLBQ-AM.

Bryant will work at BCMS on the maintenance and custodial staff, and is excited about being in the building with his players.

"I want to be around the kids, so I know what's going on with them," said Bryant.

Bryant will have something at BCMS that very few coaches have faced, a co-ed football team. At least two girls are coming out for football this season at BCMS, and Bryant welcomes the challenge of coaching females.

"I'm excited about it. The girls are serious about wanting to play, and they will push the boys to work harder. I have daughters, so I like seeing this," said Coach Bryant.

Coach Bryant is originally from Pittsburgh and says he feels at home in Butler County because of all the interest in football. His family moved to Kentucky when he was in high school and he played high school football at Webster County. He played his college football and also wrestled at Morehead State, and joined the KWC staff after briefly playing semi-pro and arena football.

Brian Bivens is no stranger to Butler County High School athletics or athletes. Bivens is currently the wellness teacher, and an assistant coach on the BCHS football team. Bivens was a successful punter and defensive back at Murray State University, achieving All America honors as a punter. He was also the arena announcer for basketball last season.

The new coach says he wants the hallmark of his BCHS girls teams to be tenacity.

"I want us to leave it all on the floor every night," said Bivens.

Bivens played high school sports at Henderson County, where he was on basketball teams that went to the final four of the Sweet 16 during his freshman and senior seasons. He says that he has already realized one big difference between coaching girls as opposed to coaching boys.

"Girls listen. When I tell them something they pay attention and then try to go out and do what I'm saying," said Bivens.

The new coach said his returning players are excited about the change, and are already working hard. He is still assembling his staff, but former BCHS player Lexi Smith will move from the Jr Pro and BCMS programs to help with the high school.

"Lexi is a good girl and a good coach," said Bivens, "She's worked really hard and will be a big asset to the team."

Although he will be busy with basketball, Bivens won't be leaving the football sidelines anytime soon. He plans to continue working with defensive backs as an assistant for coach Ryan Emmick. Bivens said that Coach Andy Fuller will step in and take over some of his duties as a football coach when the need arises.

Story by Joe K. Morris