The Malvern Lady Hornets girls basketball team has a new leader.
In a special board meeting Friday morning, the Brown Local Board of Education voted unanimously to select Natalie Sarbaugh as the new coach, replacing Jason Powers who resigned after six seasons as Malvern’s head coach.
Sarbaugh is coming off a memorable season as an assistant coach with the Northwest Indians who finished this season as the OHSAA Division II State Runners-up. Sarbaugh helped lead the Indians to a 27-3 record.
At Northwest, Sarbaugh also served as the Head Middle School Track Coach and Head Middle School Volleyball Coach. She also spent time coaching basketball at Fairless and North Canton Hoover.
“I’ve always dreamed of being a head coach,” Sarbaugh said after the board voted in her favor. “It’s just a great opportunity. The Malvern community is awesome.”
Coaching runs deep in her family. Her brother, AJ Sarbaugh, is the head football coach at Fairless High School and her sister Adrienne is the head softball coach at East Canton. Her father, Jeff Sarbaugh, spent time as the head football coach at Fairless and North Canton Hoover. With her sister being active in the East Canton coaching realm, the two will become familiar foes.
“We’re definitely a competitive family,” Sarbaugh said. “But you know, at the end of the day, we have to win for our team and do what’s best and then little rivalry for between family isn’t that bad, but we love each other to end the day. So it all works out.”
In addition to her new role, she will be joining the district as an intervention specialist.
“I’m just looking forward to being here and helping the girls be successful not only in the classroom but on the court as well,” Sarbaugh added.
Malvern’s Athletic Director Dave Tucci said the district is excited to welcome Sarbaugh to the district, saying her passion for the sport shows.
“We are very excited for our girls,” Tucci stated. “Natalie is going to be a great fit at Malvern High School. Our girls are going to really enjoy playing for her. She comes from a strong family of coaches and educators and has been mentored by outstanding coaches.”
Natalie was a three-sport athlete at North Canton Hoover where she graduate in 2011. She played basketball at Marietta College