By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The “Getting to Know” series is designed to help the community learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders.

Today, we get to know Rootstown High School boys basketball coach Cody Calhoun, who is in his fifth season leading the Rovers’ program.

CODY CALHOUN

Q: What schools did you attend growing up?

A: Greenwood Elementary, Kleckner Elementary, Green Intermediate, Green Middle and Green High School (Class of 2011). Played basketball.

Q: College?

A: Undergraduate from Kent State University (Class of 2016), with a Bachelor’s in mild to moderate special education. Master’s in educational administration from Concordia University in Chicago (2022).

Q: Current occupation?

A: High school intervention specialist.

Q: What inspired you to be a coach?

A: A passion for the game, as well as a desire to impact the lives of young men each day.

Q: What makes being a coach at Rootstown special to you?

A: First, we have great kids at our school, who make it easy to come to work every day. The second part is a community that supports our kids and takes pride in the school and their athletes.

Q: Who has been your biggest influence or mentor?

A: My dad was my first mentor as my coach when I was growing up. We have always shared a bond over sports. The second person is Mark Kinsley, who is the head coach at Green. Still, to this day, he supports me and has taught me what it means to be a coach. He has taught me things that have made me be able to be successful as a person.

Q: Funny story nobody would believe from your playing days?

A: We had a foreign-excha ge student from Japan named Tomohito as our manager. One team dinner went to Panini’s in North Canton for their wing night. At the end of the night, we looked over and all of his bones were gone from him eating them. He ended up being gone for a few days with a pretty upset stomach after eating a dozen chicken wings — bone and all.

Q: Funny story nobody would believe from your coaching career?

A: One day before practice, Coach Palmer went to kick a ball away from a player who was chasing down a long rebound. He didn’t realize he kicked it as hard as he did until it hit off the scoreboard in the gym.

Q: Favorite TV show?

A: The Office.

Q: Favorite movie?

A: Blue Chips.

Q: Favorite musical artist?

A: Eric Church.

Q: Favorite food?

A: Steak.

Q: Best vacation?

A: Hilton Head Island with my family nearly every year since I have been alive.

Q: Favorite motto or quote?

A: Respect everyone, fear no one.

Q: Describe your coaching philosophy?

A: As a coach, it is my responsibility to not only develop better basketball players, but also better people. I want to instill a mindset that our players have passion in everything that they do and are able to handle adversity. We want to build well-rounded young men, who are successful on the court, in the classroom, in the hallways and in the community.

Q: What does it mean to be a Rovers student-athlete?

A: As a Rovers student-athlete, you are expected to be a leader in everything that you do. You are also expected to demonstrate the three Rs each day: Responsible, Respectful, Role Model. Lastly, you represent many people who came before you and set the expectation and are expected to continue it for the younger generation that watches you compete.

Q: Favorite restaurant?

A: Jerseys.

Q: Favorite teacher from high school?

A: Dan Gourley.

Q: Advice you would give the younger version of you?

A: Follow your passion and you will enjoy what you do.

Q: Favorite coach from your playing days?

A: Mark Kinsley.

Q: Favorite sports team?

A: Duke.

Q: Favorite athlete then?

A: LeBron James.

Q: Favorite athlete now?

A: Nick Chubb.

Q: First job?

A: Strickland’s Ice Cream.

Q: Coaching resume?

A: Green High School boys basketball volunteer assistant (2 years), 7th grade boys basketball coach (1 year), JV head coach (2 years); Rootstown High School boys basketball head coach (2018-present).

Q: Shoutout to former teammates?

A: The other five seniors that I graduated with: Ricky Brewer, Jonny Cundiff, Luke Davies, Zack Pollock and Chris Whitmer.