Former Tipton-Rosemark Academy boys’ basketball coach Cedric Anderson, who left TRA earlier this year to take a coaching job at Harding Academy, had a lot of success during his tenure with the Rebels.
When TRA’s administrators began looking around for a replacement, they obviously wanted to keep the momentum going with another talented coach. They appear to have done just that.
Last Monday, TRA athletic director Johnie Sanfratello announced that Kurt Couvion had been hired to lead the Rebels into the future.
His resume is lengthy and impressive. In addition to being Mike Miller’s assistant when Houston won the Class 3A state title in 2021, Couvion coached for three different teams in the NBA’s G-League and was a graduate assistant under legendary West Virginia coach Bob Huggins.
Couvion also coached at Grayson College in Dennison, Texas. He said his time at that small school reminds him of Rosemark.
“It was a very similar environment there,” he said. “It was a small town where everybody goes to the game. It was a real family atmosphere and that’s what drew me to Rosemark the most. I’ve been in big cities and I’ve been in small places. I like the personal touch that a small town has.”
Dr. Andy Graham, head of schools at TRA, said, “We are excited to have Coach Couvion join our staff at the academy. During a comprehensive interview process, we spoke to many outstanding coaches from across the country. Coach Couvion stood out for his basketball acumen, leadership ability, and most of all for his fit to our school mission. We are excited to see his impact on these young men’s lives and our basketball program.”
Added Sanfratello: “We are very excited to add Coach Couvion to our staff. He brings with him a very impressive basketball resume and we look forward to seeing him lead our student-athletes into the next phase of TRA basketball.”
TRA got immediately better when Anderson arrived in 2017. In his five seasons coaching the TRA boys the team made the state tournament twice, including an appearance in the state title game in 2019. He also coached the girls for three seasons and led them to state in 2020.
Anderson’s teams played a very uptempo style. Couvion said his team will play fast with an emphasis on player development.
“It’s about learning who your kids are and figuring out the best situations to put them in,” Couvion said. “That’s exactly what we’re going to do. We’re going to get to know them as basketball players and help them maximize their talents.”
Added Couvion: “Dr. Graham and his staff have done an incredible job creating a culture of excellence while developing life-long relationships with their students. I am proud to join this wonderful community and humbled to lead the boys’ basketball program at Tipton-Rosemark Academy.”
