FROM STAFF REPORTS

HELENA–Helena High School Principal April Brand has selected head basketball coach Chris Laatsch to serve as the school’s athletic director, according to a release from Shelby County Schools.

“I am excited for Chris Laatsch to serve as the athletic director at Helena High School,” Brand said. “Since opening in 2014, Helena High School has established a strong athletic foundation with competitive teams in a variety of sports. I am confident Mr. Laatsch possesses the experience and skills needed to lead our athletic department toward even greater success in the future.”

Laatsch, a native of Birmingham and 1994 graduate of the University of Montevallo, has served as the head basketball coach at Helena High School for the past three years. He previously taught and coached for 16 years at Briarwood Christian High School and for four years at UMS-Wright in Mobile.

“I am very humbled and honored to accept the athletic director position at Helena High School,” Laatsch said. “I am very grateful to Ms. Brand and the Shelby County Board of Education for this tremendous opportunity to serve in this capacity. Helena High School and the city of Helena have become very special to me and my family and I look forward to doing my best to lead the athletic department as we move forward in the future.”

In addition to coaching basketball, Laatsch also has experience coaching football, boys and girls tennis and girls soccer. Laatsch describes his passion as helping students take the lessons they learn through athletics and use them to develop the character needed to be great people, spouses and parents one day.

Laatsch and his wife Leigh have seven children ranging in age from 23 to 16.