Youngstown City School District announces new high school athletic head coaches
The Youngstown City School District (YCSD) recently announced the appointment of three outstanding leaders to guide the future of athletics at Youngstown High School.
School officials said the appointments reflect the district’s ongoing commitment to building a unified, top-tier athletic program aligned with: One Vision. One Youngstown.
- Marlon McGaughy – Head Men’s Basketball Coach
- Dwight Berry – Head Women’s Basketball Coach
- Alex Hines – Head Volleyball Coach
Marlon McGaughy – Head Men’s Basketball Coach
Coach Marlon McGaughy takes over Youngstown High School men’s basketball after a successful tenure at Chaney High School, where he built a program known for toughness, discipline, and tenacious defense.
Most recently, he led the Cowboys to a 22–4 record in 2025–2026, earning a district championship and reaching the regional finals.
Coach McGaughy is respected for developing student-athletes, instilling high standards, and promoting growth. His leadership will be important as Youngstown transitions to a unified high school model and strives to build a program that reflects the city’s pride and grit.
Dwight Berry – Head Women’s Basketball Coach
Coach Dwight Berry leads the Youngstown High School women’s basketball team after serving as head coach at Chaney High School, where he built a culture of accountability, effort, and scholastic excellence. His teams have won conference championships and made program history with their first playoff victories.
Berry’s teams are recognized for their aggressive, up-tempo play and commitment to developing every student-athlete. He emphasizes success both on and off the court, with teams recognized for academic performance and discipline.
A proud East High School graduate, Coach Berry brings deep ties to Youngstown. His guidance and foresight will help unify girls’ basketball across the district and raise its profile.
Alex Hines – Head Volleyball Coach
Coach Alex Hines will head the Youngstown High School volleyball program after several successful years leading East High School’s volleyball program, where she has built it into a competitive and respected program.
Under her leadership at East, the program has grown in both participation and performance, showing a strong commitment to skill development, organization, and a culture of accountability. Her ability to develop student-athletes and elevate the level of play has positioned the program for continued success.
Coach Hines brings energy, consistency, and a distinct vision for building a sustainable volleyball program across all levels. Her leadership will ensure that the competitiveness and momentum established at East High School continue while we move forward under a unified model.
Future Forward
“These are more than coaching hires; they are program builders,” said YCSD Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor. “As we move to one high school, we need leaders who see the bigger picture: building a system that focuses on development, strong culture, and prolonged success.”
Each coach has been charged with:
- Building aligned middle school and feeder programs
- Establishing a clear identity and culture
- Prioritizing student-athlete development on and off the court
- Engaging families and the wider Youngstown community
Batchelor said the appointments are a key step in strengthening athletics across the district. He said Youngstown High School will continue to invest in programs that reflect our community’s pride, resilience, and distinction.
“We are not just putting teams on the floor; we are building programs that represent Youngstown the right way,” said Batchelor. “We will be intentional, we will be aligned, and we will compete.”