Staff Directory

Coaches Directory 

Name

Sport

Position

Email

Brandon Baker Boys Basketball Varsity Head Coach more details
Email: baker_br@milfordschools.org

Milford High School Athletics Hall of Famer Brandon Baker is coming home. Pending approval at next month’s Board of Education meeting, Baker will become the next head coach of the Milford boys basketball program. He returns to Eagles Way after a seven-year stint as a coach at Goshen High School.

Baker got his coaching start as an assistant with the Goshen boys team in 2013. Following two years in that role, he took over the Goshen girls program, spending two years as head coach and posting consecutive 19-win seasons. That set the stage for the last five years as the Warriors boys head coach where he won another 52 games.

“It's a special day that we get to welcome Coach Baker back home,” stated Milford Director of Athletics Aaron Zupka. “He embodies everything that our community represents. Brandon will transform our program instantly and infuse energy and excitement into our next generation of young basketball players. A renaissance of Milford basketball is coming and we are ecstatic to have Coach Baker at the helm!"

“I am grateful and humbled to come back to a school district, community and basketball program that I deeply care about,” Baker said. “I look forward to leading the next era of Milford basketball and teaching young men the important values of life through basketball. Being the head basketball coach at Milford High School is a dream come true and I am thankful for the opportunity to come home.”

Baker’s coaching resume includes a pair of Southern Buckeye Athletic and Academic Conference Coach of the Year awards, a district runner-up finish, as well as twice being named a coach in the Cincinnati East-West All-Star Game. He broke into coaching following graduation and a four-year basketball career at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. As a player, Baker helped his squad to three NCAA Tournament appearances.

Baker’s Milford career featured back-to-back first team all-conference honors as a junior (GMC) and senior (FAVC) and the Fort Ancient Valley Conference Player of the Year award in 2008. He was inducted into the Milford Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2017.

Brandon Baker
Kennedy Fails Dance Head Coach more details
Email: fails_k@milfordschools.org

The Milford Department of Athletics is pleased to announce the hiring of Kennedy Fails as the new head coach of the highly-successful Eagle Dance program. Fails is an accomplished dancer and choreographer who enjoyed stints as a collegiate and professional dancer. Her hiring is pending approval by the Milford Exempted Village School District Board of Education.

Fails has been coaching and performing since a young age and was a cheerleader and dancer while attending Kings High School. She then moved on to the University of Kentucky where she was a four-year Blue Squad member, helping the Wildcats to numerous top national competition finishes. During her final year, Fails was the team captain and earned Dancer of the Year and the coaches’ award.

After earning a Bachelor of Arts: Business and Organizational Communications from UK, Fails has continued as a self-employed choreographer for area dance teams ranging in age from middle school to college. She was also a dancer for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks.

"We’re so fortunate to bring someone of Kennedy's ability to our Dance Program at Milford,” Milford Director of Athletics Aaron Zupka stated. “Great dance coaches are few and far between and I believe we have one of the best in the area if not in the entire state in Coach Fails! She brings extensive experience in the cheer/dance world, including at the collegiate and professional levels. Her choreography is second to none and she will continue to build on our championship tradition and pedigree in the Milford High School Dance program!”

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to coach these young and talented athletes through their dance journey,” Fails added. “By working with this program in the past, these dancers can expect me to bring energy, creativity and authenticity. Everyone buckle up, it’s about to be a great ride!!”

The Milford Dance team has won back-to-back Eastern Cincinnati Conference titles.

Kennedy Fails
Emma Frye Boys Swimming & Diving Head Diving Coach more details
Email: frye_e@milfordschools.org

Current Milford Position(s):

  • Head High School & Junior High Diving Coach (2015-present)

High School Alma Mater: Milford High School (2011)

College Alma Mater(s):

  • Associate’s: (2015) The Christ College of Nursing & Health Sciences - Nursing
  • Undergraduate: (Present-2021) University of Cincinnati - Middle School Education

High School and College Sports Played:

  • High School: Swimming, Diving, Water Polo

Honors/Achievements/Awards:

  • 2009, 2010 State Final Four - Water Polo
  • 2010 South Regional Champion - Water Polo
  • 2010 FAVC Girls Buckeye Division Champion - Swimming & Diving
  • USA Swimming Certified Coach

Additional Information: Emma lives in Loveland, Ohio. She is currently attending school at the University of Cincinnati pursuing a degree in middle school education. She is a swim coach for Milford Area Swim Team.

Emma Frye
Emma Frye Girls Swimming & Diving Head Diving Coach more details
Email: frye_e@milfordschools.org

Current Milford Position(s):

  • Head High School & Junior High Diving Coach (2015-present)

High School Alma Mater: Milford High School (2011)

College Alma Mater(s):

  • Associate’s: (2015) The Christ College of Nursing & Health Sciences - Nursing
  • Undergraduate: (Present-2021) University of Cincinnati - Middle School Education

High School and College Sports Played:

  • High School: Swimming, Diving, Water Polo

Honors/Achievements/Awards:

  • 2009, 2010 State Final Four - Water Polo
  • 2010 South Regional Champion - Water Polo
  • 2010 FAVC Girls Buckeye Division Champion - Swimming & Diving
  • USA Swimming Certified Coach

Additional Information: Emma lives in Loveland, Ohio. She is currently attending school at the University of Cincinnati pursuing a degree in middle school education. She is a swim coach for Milford Area Swim Team.

Emma Frye
Rob Rude Boys Bowling Varsity Head Coach more details
Email: rude_r@milfordschools.org

The Milford High School Department of Athletics is pleased to announce that Rob Rude will become the school’s new head bowling coach, pending approval of the Milford Exempted Village School District board. A long-time coach, official and official’s assigners in the Greater Cincinnati area, Rude will have administrative responsibilities for both the boys and girls programs, while serving as the head coach for the girls team. Scott Thomas will remain the head coach for the boys program.

Rude, a Milford resident, has a diverse background that includes over three decades of coaching and officiating experience. He’s coached multiple sports during his career, while officiating six different sports and serving as a trainer and officials assigner. Rude is also an Assistant Professor of Economics and Sport Administration at the University of Cincinnati.

An avid bowler since the third grade, Rude has competed in many youth and adult leagues and tournaments throughout his life. He’s currently a member of the United States Bowling Congress and a former member of the Young American Bowling Alliance, USA Bowling and the American Bowling Congress.

"We are pleased to welcome Rob Rude as our next leader of the Milford Bowling Program,” Milford Director of Athletics Aaron Zupka stated. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience coaching eight different sports and coaching at all levels from being a varsity head coach down to the youth level. Rob has been an avid bowler since the 1980's and has coached youth programs as well as instructed many individuals with private training. It's a huge plus to have someone with his leadership experience running a program and bringing that expertise to Milford. With the excellent staff we've put together, the MHS bowling program and youth bowling in the community will continue to flourish!"

"I am extremely excited for the opportunity to help lead the Milford bowling program,” Rude added. “I want each bowler to maximize their individual success as we work on building the best possible teams to compete for league and tournament championships.

“Bowling is a great sport that anyone can participate in throughout their lives,” he continued. “I look forward to helping generate interest in bowling throughout the Milford community for our elementary and junior high students so we can build a pipeline of future successful Milford High School bowlers.”

Rob lives in Milford with his wife Katherine, a long-time teacher at Milford High School and their children.

Rob Rude
Rob Rude Girls Bowling Varsity Head Coach more details
Email: rude_r@milfordschools.org

The Milford High School Department of Athletics is pleased to announce that Rob Rude will become the school’s new head bowling coach, pending approval of the Milford Exempted Village School District board. A long-time coach, official and official’s assigners in the Greater Cincinnati area, Rude will have administrative responsibilities for both the boys and girls programs, while serving as the head coach for the girls team. Scott Thomas will remain the head coach for the boys program.

Rude, a Milford resident, has a diverse background that includes over three decades of coaching and officiating experience. He’s coached multiple sports during his career, while officiating six different sports and serving as a trainer and officials assigner. Rude is also an Assistant Professor of Economics and Sport Administration at the University of Cincinnati.

An avid bowler since the third grade, Rude has competed in many youth and adult leagues and tournaments throughout his life. He’s currently a member of the United States Bowling Congress and a former member of the Young American Bowling Alliance, USA Bowling and the American Bowling Congress.

"We are pleased to welcome Rob Rude as our next leader of the Milford Bowling Program,” Milford Director of Athletics Aaron Zupka stated. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience coaching eight different sports and coaching at all levels from being a varsity head coach down to the youth level. Rob has been an avid bowler since the 1980's and has coached youth programs as well as instructed many individuals with private training. It's a huge plus to have someone with his leadership experience running a program and bringing that expertise to Milford. With the excellent staff we've put together, the MHS bowling program and youth bowling in the community will continue to flourish!"

"I am extremely excited for the opportunity to help lead the Milford bowling program,” Rude added. “I want each bowler to maximize their individual success as we work on building the best possible teams to compete for league and tournament championships.

“Bowling is a great sport that anyone can participate in throughout their lives,” he continued. “I look forward to helping generate interest in bowling throughout the Milford community for our elementary and junior high students so we can build a pipeline of future successful Milford High School bowlers.”

Rob lives in Milford with his wife Katherine, a long-time teacher at Milford High School and their children.

Rob Rude
Megan Stilwell Boys Swimming & Diving Head Swimming Coach more details
Email: stilwell_m@milfordschools.org

The Milford High School Department of Athletics is pleased to announce the hiring of former NCAA All-American Megan (Tomes) Stillwell as its next head boys and girls swimming coach. She joins the Eagles after serving the last several years as the girls head coach at her alma mater, Eastern Cincinnati Conference rival Anderson High School.

During her high school swimming career, she set many school and pool records and was a three-time state champion and an All-American in every high school swimming event. As a collegiate at the University of Tennessee, she was on the SEC Academic Honor Roll, was an NCCA Division I All American and an SEC top-8 qualifier all four years. She attended the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Trials, with her best finish being in the top-50 in the world at the time. She has a Bachelor's degree in Human Ecology with a focus in Nutrition from UT.

“I’m excited to bring my experiences from my past successful swimming journey and my coaching knowledge to Milford High School,” Coach Stillwell says. “I’m very eager to lead this great group of swimmers to new levels of achievement.”

In addition to her high school coaching duties, Stillwell also coaches summer club swimming. Outside of coaching, she and her husband, Kevin are the parents to three boys: Crosby (7), Colton (6) and Callan (4).

"We are beyond ecstatic to welcome Coach Stilwell as the next leader of the Milford Eagles swimming program,” stated Director of Athletics Aaron Zupka. “She has an illustrious background and has competed at some of the highest levels in the sport. I know she will have an immediate impact on the individual development of our swimmers and elevate our program to new heights. We’re very fortunate to have someone of her caliber at MHS and can't wait to get her started working with our student-athletes!"

Megan Stilwell
Megan Stilwell Girls Swimming & Diving Head Swimming Coach more details
Email: stilwell_m@milfordschools.org

The Milford High School Department of Athletics is pleased to announce the hiring of former NCAA All-American Megan (Tomes) Stillwell as its next head boys and girls swimming coach. She joins the Eagles after serving the last several years as the girls head coach at her alma mater, Eastern Cincinnati Conference rival Anderson High School.

During her high school swimming career, she set many school and pool records and was a three-time state champion and an All-American in every high school swimming event. As a collegiate at the University of Tennessee, she was on the SEC Academic Honor Roll, was an NCCA Division I All American and an SEC top-8 qualifier all four years. She attended the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Trials, with her best finish being in the top-50 in the world at the time. She has a Bachelor's degree in Human Ecology with a focus in Nutrition from UT.

“I’m excited to bring my experiences from my past successful swimming journey and my coaching knowledge to Milford High School,” Coach Stillwell says. “I’m very eager to lead this great group of swimmers to new levels of achievement.”

In addition to her high school coaching duties, Stillwell also coaches summer club swimming. Outside of coaching, she and her husband, Kevin are the parents to three boys: Crosby (7), Colton (6) and Callan (4).

"We are beyond ecstatic to welcome Coach Stilwell as the next leader of the Milford Eagles swimming program,” stated Director of Athletics Aaron Zupka. “She has an illustrious background and has competed at some of the highest levels in the sport. I know she will have an immediate impact on the individual development of our swimmers and elevate our program to new heights. We’re very fortunate to have someone of her caliber at MHS and can't wait to get her started working with our student-athletes!"

Megan Stilwell
Scott Thomas Boys Bowling Boys Head Coach more details
Email: horsemenstyle2003@yahoo.com Scott Thomas
Matt Tolliver Girls Basketball Varsity Head Coach more details
Email: tolliver_m@milfordschools.org

The Milford High School Department of Athletics, under the direction of Aaron Zupka, is pleased to announce the hiring of Matt Tolliver as the Eagles’ new varsity girls basketball head coach. Coach Tolliver, whose hiring is pending by the Milford Board of Education, joins the Eagles after spending the past two seasons at Edgewood High School.

Last year, in his first full season as the varsity head coach at Edgewood, Coach Tolliver led the Cougars to one of the best seasons in the school’s history. Named the Southwest District and Southwest Ohio Conference Coach of the Year for his efforts, Coach Tolliver’s squad finished the regular season 20-2 and unbeaten in conference play.

"I'm ecstatic to announce Matt Tolliver as the next leader of our girls basketball program,” Director Zupka stated. “Anytime you can bring in a person of his caliber who has experience building a successful program and is a proven winner, there's a lot to be excited about. Our girls are going to love his fast-paced, energetic style of play and it's going to be a great brand of basketball to watch.

“Coach Tolliver has high expectations for our returning team to compete for a league championship immediately,” Zupka continued. “Our hope is to build a comprehensive program that our young ladies will be excited to be a part of and develop talent that will push us to be a perennial power in the ECC and Southwest Ohio year in and year out.”

Prior to his one year as Edgewood’s head coach and a season as a Cougar assistant, Coach Tolliver spent eight seasons building the girls basketball program at Little Miami High School. Among his coaching accomplishments between Little Miami and Edgewood are four conference championships, two sectional finals appearances and three conference coach of the year awards. Over his last four years as a head coach, Tolliver owns a record of 70-25.

Matt Tolliver
Stacie Vorhees Cheerleading Varsity Head Coach more details
Email: vorhees_s@milfordschools.org

The Milford Department of Athletics is pleased to announce the hiring of Stacie Vorhees as the new head coach of the Milford Sideline Cheerleading Program. Vorhees is a former assistant coach for the Eagles program and is a second-grade teacher at McCormick Elementary in Milford. Her hiring is pending approval by the Milford Exempted Village School District Board of Education.

Vorhees returns to the Milford program after coaching three seasons from 2020-2023. During her previous tenure, she held the titles of freshman coach and junior varsity head coach and was also an assistant for the competition squad. She helped the Eagles to the 2021 Traditional Cheer National, ran the 2022 Youth Camp and served as the interim head coach for the full program in the Summer of 2022.

During her collegiate days, Vorhees was a sideline and competition cheerleader at the University of Cincinnati. While there, she was the recipient of the Bearcat Award three times for being the squad’s most valuable teammate. She also helped UC to a Game Day Championship. Vorhees also competed previously for the United Allstars Tumbling Academy.

"I am thrilled to have Coach Vorhees leading our Milford Sideline Cheer Program,” stated Milford Director of Athletics Aaron Zupka. “Stacie is a kids-first, relationship-building coach that will pour positivity and excitement into our athletes. She has a tremendous background in the sport including experience in All-Star Cheer and participating in cheering at the Division I level at the University of Cincinnati. She is very familiar with our kids and has coached within MHS for three years recently. Coach Vorhees will bring stability, credibility, strong organizational skills with a clear vision of the future, and immediately rejuvenate our program back to standards that we've all been previously accustomed to. This is a proud day at MHS and rings loudly that our cheer program is back and better than ever!”

“I am overjoyed to step into and embrace the role of head coach at Milford High School,” Coach Vorhees added. “The opportunity to lead and inspire this team, implement strategic game plans, and foster a supportive team spirit is exhilarating. I look forward to bringing my enthusiasm for cheerleading into play, creating memorable experiences, and fostering a sense of unity and achievement. Here’s to the exciting journey ahead and achieving success together on and off the sideline!”

Stacie Vorhees
Courtney Walls Girls Wrestling Head Coach more details
Email: walls_c@milfordschools.org

The Milford High School Department of Athletics is pleased to announce that Courtney Walls will become the school’s new head girls wrestling coach, pending approval of the Milford Exempted Village School District board. Walls joins the Eagles after spending the last several years as the boys wrestling coach at Mt. Healthy High School and Middle School.

During his time at Mt. Healthy beginning in 2015, Walls has coached a pair of state qualifiers. He’ll also bring to Milford experience gained from wrestling at Pickerington Central High School near Columbus. At Pickerington Central, Walls was a state qualifier under the tutelage of three-time state champion Jason Allen. He also competed in the Junior Olympics in Michigan, helping his team to a third-place finish.

Walls attended Sinclair Community College and the Ohio State University, graduating from OSU with a BS in Computer & Information Science. He works in information technology locally at Heidelberg Distributing.

“I am beyond thrilled to announce Coach Courtney Walls as the next leader of our Girls High School Wrestling program at Milford,” stated Milford Director of Athletics Aaron Zupka. “Girls wrestling is one of the fastest growing sports in the Midwest and our program has taken off the past few years. Coach Walls has previous head coaching experience and has made the state wrestling tournament in Ohio as a high school wrestler, so he knows the time, work ethic, and mentality it takes to succeed. Our girls will love his personality, experience, and drive to continue to grow the sport and lead us to new and unprecedented heights!”

"I’m excited to lead and inspire the girls in Milford's wrestling program,” Coach Walls added “Together, we'll achieve greatness on and off the mat.”

Courtney Walls
Tom Wynn Boys Wrestling Head Coach more details
Email: wynn_t@milfordschools.org

The Milford High School Department of Athletics is pleased to announce that Tom Wynn will become the school’s new head boys wrestling coach, pending approval of the Milford Exempted Village School District board. Wynn joins the Eagles after spending the past 13 years at St. Xavier High School.

After joining the St. X family as an assistant and spending three years in that role, Wynn then served as the varsity head coach for the next six seasons. He transitioned back into an assistant role for the past four seasons. Wynn has also served St. Xavier as a Health and Physical Education teacher since 2007. During his tenure, Wynn has coached two state champions, five state placers and 13 state qualifiers.

“Anytime you can score a caliber coach such as Tom Wynn, it’s a huge addition to a program,” stated Milford Director of Athletics Aaron Zupka. “We have a rich history and tradition in Milford Wrestling and this hire will propel us to the next level in Southwest Ohio. Coach Wynn has a track record of building programs and developing standout wrestlers and young men. We are going to win on and off the mat with Wynn! You can trademark that phrase now!”

Prior to arriving at St. Xavier, Wynn was a college head coach, first at Centenary College in New Jersey for two seasons and then at Mount St. Joseph University from 2001 to 2008. He was also a graduate assistant wrestling coach at South Dakota State University.

“I am extremely excited and honored to be named the next head wrestling coach at Milford High School,” Coach Wynn stated. “I have been extremely blessed to have coached with and learned from great head coaches at the college and high school level. The opportunity to follow in the footsteps of outstanding former coaches like Dave Norcross, Jim Costello and Pete Babinec to name a few, are big shoes to fill, and I am truly humbled and grateful to embrace the chance to lead such a storied program.

“Milford Wrestling is known for having incredibly talented and tenacious individuals and I am extremely excited to work with all of the returning athletes from last season,” he continued. “I acknowledge there were talented wrestlers who graduated this past season, and they will be missed. Milford Wrestling has always produced outstanding competitors on and off the mat and next season will be no different. I’m extraordinarily excited to get in the room with the returning wrestlers and get to know and challenge their abilities. My goal for this first season is to develop young men into exceptional student athletes who will lay the foundation to celebrate the remarkable wrestling Milford has always championed.”

Wynn was an accomplished wrestler in his own right, first at Blanchester High School and then at Heidelberg College. In high school, he was a two-time state qualifier, a regional champion on one occasion, as well as a two-time district and conference champion. Collegiately, Wynn was a four-time conference runner-up and a three-time national qualifier. He is a member of the Blanchester High School, Clinton County and Heidelberg College Athletic Halls of Fame.

Tom Wynn
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