When Chris Renner stepped down as boys basketball coach at Ballard in 2022, he said he had no intention of returning to the profession that made him a Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Famer.
But Renner is back and ready to take the reins of a tradition-rich program.
Oldham County announced Friday that Renner has been named its new boys basketball coach. He replaces Josh Leslie, who stepped down after posting a 38-25 record in two seasons.
“Over the last couple of years I’ve been able to get a little healthier, losing some weight and having shoulder surgery,” said Renner, 57. “I just feel better physically. My knees aren’t hurting as bad. … If I’m going to do something, let’s do something I used to be pretty good at and enjoy.”
Renner has a career record of 703-186, including a 651-59 record in 24 seasons at Ballard. He led the Bruins to nine Seventh Region titles and five state finals, winning the title in 1999.
His final game at Ballard was a heartbreaker — an 82-80 triple-overtime loss to Male in the 2022 Seventh Region final.
Renner has continued to work at Ballard as a substitute teacher and said he “got the itch” to return to coaching while watching the Bruins play No. 1-ranked Great Crossing in December.
Renner said he’d ultimately like to move from Louisville to Oldham County.
“It’s something different,” he said. “I’m excited about being involved in the school and the basketball program and getting involved with the community of Oldham County.”
Oldham County has won 17 Eighth Region titles, the last one coming in 2021.
“His coaching pedigree and excitement to continue the tradition we have here is going to be a great fit,” said Oldham County athletics director David Letendre. “We have a great culture, and if you embrace it and understand it, it’s beneficial. I think he understands all of that.”
Renner is a Waggener High School graduate who got his head-coaching start at Southwest Christian in 1991. He also coached at Tennessee-Martin, Christian Academy (girls) and Waggener before taking the Ballard job in 1998.
He takes over an Oldham County team that finished 22-9 last season after falling to South Oldham, 61-60, in the 29th District semifinals. The Colonels will lose four seniors to graduation, including Max Green, the state’s top scorer at 32.1 points per game.
“I’m excited about the challenge and the opportunity,” Renner said. “I’m not going to say I’ll be here two years or 10 years, but it won’t be 10 years. I can tell you that.”
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Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Follow on X @kyhighs.
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