Goodrich named next Boys Basketball Coach at Wayne Trace 

HAVILAND –  Following the June School board meeting, it became official: Wayne Trace has named a new coach succeeding the long and successful tenure of Coach Jim Linder.

Noah Goodrich, a native of Genoa, Ohio, and a Defiance College basketball alumni, steps into the role with deep appreciation for the program’s legacy. A current teacher at Wayne Trace High School, Goodrich served as a Junior Varsity coach under Linder during the 2024 season. This time, he says, was invaluable in learning the expectations that come with leading a renowned program.

Goodrich brings several years of coaching experience to the position, including time with Ohio Reign, and Optimal Performance Fitness (OPF) AAU programs, as well as five seasons as a Junior Varsity coach under Bodi Kauffman at Fairview High School. He credits both Kauffman and Linder as key mentors in his coaching journey and looks forward to building on the foundation they helped create.

“My primary goal is to uphold our program’s proud tradition while fostering the personal growth and character development of each student-athlete,” Goodrich shared. With a strong core of returning varsity lettermen, he added, “We’ll definitely focus on capturing the GMC championship and making a deep, competitive run in the tournament.”

Coach Goodrich is excited to lead in a community that lives and breathes basketball. His goal is to continue a tradition of excellence at Wayne Trace, through performance on the court and the character the team displays off the court.