Todd Monsey has been named the head coach of the Highland Park High School girls basketball team, and will join the HPHS faculty as a PE teacher.Monsey comes to HPISD from Frisco ISD where he was head coach of the girls basketball program at Lone Star High School for the last four years. He also served as head coach at Midway High School. While at Midway as the varsity assistant, the team won the 2009 UIL State Championship. Monsey has 18 years of experience coaching and, throughout his career, has reached post-season play 16 times, earned nine regional tournament berths and competed in the state tournament three times.
HPISD Athletic Director Lonnie Jordan says Monsey is a relationship builder. "He is a proven leader who will build a program that has high energy, executes at a championship level, and empowers our young women to become quality leaders," Jordan said. "He is truly committed to building a program that will benefit our Lady Scots long after they have left the court."
"I am honored to join Highland Park ISD as the new girls basketball coach," said Monsey. "Our goal as a program will be to honor the tradition of greatness at Highland Park while empowering our student-athletes to a new level of success as a basketball program."
Monsey earned a bachelor's degree from Baylor University. He is certified to teach physical education, history and secondary government.
Beyond his high school coaching and teaching responsibilities, Monsey also works with USA Basketball and serves as a board member for the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches.
Justin James has been named the head coach of the Highland Park High School girls gymnastics team and joins the MIS faculty as a PE teacher.James joins HPISD from Humble ISD where he served 14 years as the gymnastics director and diving coach at Kingwood High School. Prior to coaching in the high school environment, James served as the general managing partner for Alpha Omega Gymnastics in Kingwood and as the tech coach and administrator for the World Champions Centre in Spring, TX.
He serves on the Aggie Ascension, an organization working with Texas A&M womens gymnastics to help elevate the university's program to the championship level.
"James is a seasoned gymnastics coach with knowledge and experience that spans both mens and womens competitive gymnastics as a member of the Texas Gymnastics Judges Association and National Gymnastics Judges Association," Athletic Director Lonnie Jordan said.
"I am extremely proud to be the new leader of HP Girls gymnastics," said James. "The administration and community support are second to none, and I am humbled to be part of such a great team. I can’t wait to get started upholding and expanding the rich traditions of Highland Park Gymnastics."
James earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology from Texas A&M and a master's in educational business administration from the American College of Education.
"We are excited to welcome these two outstanding professionals to the HPISD Athletics program," Jordan said.