The new head coach of the Houston High School volleyball team brings a championship pedigree to town.
Barry Wheeler, who won the Class 2 state title in 2007 at Stockton, was hired Tuesday night by the school board as the new leader of the Lady Tigers’ program. He replaces Skye Wade, who resigned in November after four years at HHS.
Principal Charlie Malam, who led the volleyball search committee, said Wheeler’s references raved about his coaching abilities.
“He has been described by former employers as the best volleyball coach they’ve ever had and an excellent role mode for students,” Malam said.
A Michigan native, Wheeler had an incredibly successful six-year run from 2002-’08 at Stockton High School. His teams were a combined 139-51-9 with four conference championships, three district titles, three state quarterfinal appearances and the ’07 state championship.
Wheeler left Stockton after his 16-year old daughter, Lauren, was killed in a car wreck. He told the Branson Tri-Lakes News in a 2011 story that “it was too difficult to remain there.”
Wheeler then moved to Hollister, where he coached from 2008-’13. He won a district title in 2010 and twice was district runner-up. This past year he was the head coach at Holden High School.
Malam said Wheeler has coached Club Bear volleyball in Springfield for several years.
“He has a great knowledge of volleyball – and our kids are going to benefit from that,” Malam said. “Everyone I spoke to said his practices are organized and the kids will learn and improve their skills playing for him.”