Jack Purtell leaving Newark to take Watkins Memorial girls job

After two successful seasons with the Wildcats, the veteran coach is departing for a new challenge closer to home.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 10:06am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fragmented action of a high school basketball game, with sharp planes of color and overlapping perspectives conveying the dynamic nature of the sport.The departure of veteran coach Jack Purtell creates a new challenge for Newark's girls basketball program, which must now find a leader to guide its talented returning core.Newark Today

Jack Purtell, who led Newark's girls basketball team to a district title this past season, is leaving the Wildcats to become the new head coach at Watkins Memorial. Purtell, who turns 65 this month, cited family reasons for the move, as he has a grandson in kindergarten at Watkins and a daughter who works there as a speech pathologist.

Why it matters

Purtell's departure is a significant loss for Newark, which was primed to build on last year's 17-8 season and regional semifinal appearance. However, the move brings Purtell closer to home in Westerville and allows him to coach at the Division II level, which he hasn't done in over a decade.

The details

Purtell spent the last two seasons as Newark's head coach, guiding the Wildcats to their first district title since 2021. Prior to that, he led Reynoldsburg's girls team to a state championship. The Watkins Memorial job opened up when Joel Baker, who coached the Warriors for one season, took a position as the Watkins Middle School principal.

  • Purtell turned 65 on March 29, 2026.
  • Purtell spent the last two seasons as Newark's head coach.
  • The Watkins Memorial job opened up in March 2026 when Joel Baker took a new position.

The players

Jack Purtell

A veteran high school girls basketball coach who is leaving Newark to take the head coaching job at Watkins Memorial. Purtell, who turns 65 this month, cited family reasons for the move as he has a grandson in kindergarten at Watkins and a daughter who works there as a speech pathologist.

Calli Geller

An All-Ohio player who will be a senior next season for Newark.

Emma Quackenbush

An all-district player who will be a senior next season for Newark.

Leah Eckenrode

An all-district player who will be a junior next season for Newark.

Jeff Quackenbush

The athletic director at Newark High School.

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What they’re saying

“This was very emotional for me. I loved my two years at Newark, loved coaching those girls and loved the community. I know it might not make much sense basketball wise. But I have a grandson in kindergarten at Watkins and a daughter who is a speech pathologist there. I just kind of made the move for my family.”

— Jack Purtell, Outgoing Newark Girls Basketball Coach

“We looked at Jack to see if it was a possibility. I was AD at Reynoldsburg and worked with Jack for a decade. I've known him for a long time, and he knows a lot of people at Watkins. Just with his experience and success with coaching girls, this is an important hire. This is big for us.”

— Jake Perkins, Watkins Memorial Athletic Director

“Jack and his staff did a great job, moving the program forward and making it very competitive. They look ready to take the next step. With the core group coming back, we should get some good applications. We'll open it up on the inside for five days, then open it up on the outside.”

— Jeff Quackenbush, Newark High School Athletic Director

What’s next

Newark High School will open the head girls basketball coaching position internally for five days before posting it externally to find Purtell's replacement.

The takeaway

Purtell's departure is a significant loss for Newark, which was poised to build on last season's success. However, the move allows the veteran coach to be closer to family and take on a new challenge at the Division II level. Newark must now find a new leader to guide its talented returning core.