Jonathan Alder defensive coordinator Josh Bope (left) and head coach Brett Glass watch the action during a game from earlier in the 2019 season. Bope and Glass were gridiron teammates at both JA and Otterbein University. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
They were good friends and teammates through both high school and college football.
The friendship has continued long after their playing days and now, they are working through a very successful season together as coaches.
Jonathan Alder head football coach Brett Glass had an idea after the 2018 campaign about who he wanted to add to his coaching staff.
He didn’t have to look very far down the road or have to go through outside connections in order to get who he wanted.
Josh Bope, who was Glass’ teammate at both JA and Otterbein University, was ready for the call.
“I had been on the coaching staff at Hilliard Darby for the past 10 years,” said Bope, who, like Glass, is a 2004 graduate of Jonathan Alder.
“Brett called me around Christmas time last year and asked if I wanted to join the staff,” he said. “I made my decision shortly after that.”
Although Bope, who is in his first season as the Pioneers’ defensive coordinator, said his decade on Darby’s gridiron staff was “priceless,” he also knew that one day he and Glass would coach together.
“We knew we’d eventually want to do this,” said Bope. “Brett had asked me a couple of times before, but we had a pretty good thing going at Darby and I wasn’t quite ready to step away from that.
“However, when he contacted me nearly a year ago, this time it just felt right,” said the Hilliard Heritage Middle School history teacher.
“Brett asked me if I was ready to come home and I told him, ‘I think it’s time,’”
Bope spent two seasons as Darby’s head freshman coach and then served eight seasons on the varsity staff.
He coached cornerbacks and was special teams coordinator for the varsity.
“Jonathan Alder is home to me,” said Bope. “This has given me an opportunity to coach at a place I love and in which I have a lot of pride.”
“Josh has been a tremendous addition to our staff,” said Glass. “The kids love him and he’s done some remarkable things for the team.”
Under Bope’s tutelage, Alder’s defense has yielded just 193 points in 11 games.
“Jonathan Alder has some great, tough guys,” said Bope. “As far as our coaching staff, everyone is involved with game planning and I’ve learned a lot from them.”
Bope favors the 4-4 defense the Pioneers (11-0) have employed for many years.
“If you know anything about high school football, you have to be geared to stop the run,” he said. “This defense puts our guys in position to play fast, go downhill and play a physical game.”
The Pioneers’ defense, however, will face a huge challenge tonight (7 p.m.) against 11-0 Jackson in the Division III regional semifinals.
The game will be played at Teays Valley High School.
The Ironmen have scorched opposing defenses to the tune of 43.2 points per outing.
“We’ve got to take the fight to Jackson and stop their running game,” said Bope. “The guys have been given their assignments and know what they need to do.
“We just can’t give up any big plays.”