After having just two coaches from 2013-25, Cooper’s girls basketball program will be looking for their third coach in three seasons.
Christian Prohaska resigned on Friday after one season with the team. She led the Lady Jaguars to a 20-9 record in her one season in Union. Prohaska came in for Justin Holthaus, who moved over to the boys program after they didn’t retain Tim Sullivan.
“It’s the best decision for me and my family at this time,” Prohaska said. “I have two little girls with a full-time job. It was a great experience with the girls and loved every minute of it, but the amount of sacrificing a lot of time from my family to working my job to practice, then my kids are ready for bed. I have to put some priorities in place.”
Entering the season with high hopes and in search for a fifth straight region title, Cooper’s season came to a crashing halt after a 39-point loss to Ryle in the 33rd District championship and then were upset by Highlands in the first round of the region tournament.
After a 2-2 start, Cooper found their groove by winning 13 of their next 14 games. But then followed a three-game losing streak to George Rogers Clark, Taylor County and Simon Kenton, three of the four state semifinalists this season. They proceeded to win four in a row after that before a buzzer-beating loss to then No. 1 ranked Assumption and state runner-up to conclude the regular season. They followed it up with a blowout victory over Boone County in the semifinals of the district tournament before the losses to Ryle and Highlands.
Prohaska, a Boone County alum came in after spending 13 years in the college ranks as an assistant. Her Division I coaching experience came with stops at Xavier, Seton Hall, Kentucky, Bucknell and Morehead State, primarily as an assistant and recruiting coordinator.
She didn’t rule out coaching in the future.
“It will be at my own leisure in terms of coaching,” Prohaska said. “Timing is everything. I have my two kids that rely on me and my husband. It was difficult, but we’re in critical parts of their childhood.”
With Haylee Noel entering her senior season next year and coming off back-to-back reigning 9th Region Player of the Year awards voted on by the coaches, Cooper will once again enter with high hopes with six of eight in the rotation expected back. They do lose two starters in Addyson Brissey and Lyric Hooper to graduation, but along with Noel are expected to return starters Brinkli Rankin and Alivia Scott and key reserves Leila Allen, Destiny Knox and Riley Benson, all three playing in at least 24 games last season.
The school is in the process of getting the head coach opening posted. Those interested will need to apply through the Boone County schools website and send resumes to Athletic Director Randy Borchers at randy.borchers@boone.kyschools.us. Cooper High School didn’t comment on the matter.