In lieu of recent news of Jay Volker accepting a teaching position in Ohio, Beechwood has decided to transition the head football coaching duties to former coach Noel Rash.
Volker replaced Rash after he stepped down in 2023, guiding the Tigers to a 37-5 record and a state title in 2024. Online rumors started circulating after Volker held a players meeting to inform the team of his decision on the teaching job last week.
Despite those rumors, Volker addressed them with a statement online.
“To keep communication clear, I wanted to update everyone on the meeting I had with the players this morning,” Volker said. “I have taken a teaching position outside of the district that will still allow me to be the head football coach. The decision did not come lightly, but this position will allow me to: 1. Still push our players to become the best versions of themselves on and off the field. 2. Be more present for my family. 3. Allow me to support my family better financially. Thank you for understanding and please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.”
That statement was made by Volker on Sunday at 7:46 p.m.
On Tuesday around 3 p.m., Beechwood Independent Schools made the announcement of the coaching transition.
“Jay Volker recently accepted a teaching position in Ohio to be closer to his family. With that said, he aimed to continue his role as Beechwood head football coach to maintain continuity this late in the year since football workouts begin June 1st. We are fortunate to have Coach Volker continue to model such professionalism and dedication to the program,” the statement said. “Beechwood Administration and Beechwood Athletics have been in discussions with Coach Volker about the vision and future of Beechwood Football. In that lengthy collaboration, we have all agreed to move forward with recommending the appointment of Mr. Noel Rash as the next coach of Beechwood Football.”
The statement also says Volker and Rash will work together to “ensure a smooth transition for the program.”
The transition plan is set up for the program to “hit the ground running” come June 1 as they’ll continue offseason workouts in ramping up for the start of the 2026 season come July after the dead period.
Rash enters the fold at Beechwood already having won 200 games and eight state championships under his direction. He joined the staff in 2000 under Mike Yeagle before receiving the promotion to head coach in 2006.
Prior to his time at Beechwood, Rash was an assistant coach at Lloyd (1985-87), Simon Kenton (1993-94) and Moeller (1996-99). He coached defensive backs at Holmes during the 2023 season. Rash was Beechwood’s head baseball coach from 1998-2001, and in ’99 was selected as the Northern Kentucky Baseball Coaches Association’s Coach of the Year.
“Thrilled is an understatement in how the Tiger Football family is feeling right now,” the statement said. “A legend is coming home only to build upon that legacy he worked so hard to build. Coach Rash is excited to work with Coach Volker and the coaching staff in a transition plan in order to hit the ground running on June 1, 2026.”
Volker departs after three seasons in Fort Mitchell, guiding the Tigers to a guiding the Tigers to a 37-5 record and a state title in 2024. They reached the semifinals in 2023 and 2025.
“Beechwood Schools regards Jay Volker alongside Coach Berry, Coach Yeagle, and Coach Rash as yet another state champion football coach,” Beechwood schools said. “We thank Jay in not only maintaining, but elevating the commitment, the sacrifice, and the brotherhood – THE standard of Beechwood Football. Coach Volker’s legacy has been etched.”
Volker came to Beechwood with an extensive coaching background. He was the head coach at Talawanda (Ohio) for two seasons. Prior to that, Volker served as an assistant at Kings (Ohio) in 2019 and ’20 and as the defensive coordinator for Moeller (Ohio) in ’18. Volker also assisted Jim Hilvert from 2015-17 at LaSalle as the Associate Head Coach helping the Lancers to consecutive Ohio Division II state championships.
Volker worked as an assistant at Georgia State from 2013-15 with current Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter.