Coaches' Profiles

Varsity Head Coach

John Wanke

Coach Wanke is entering his fourth season leading the Golden Bear program as the varsity head coach and thirteenth overall at Upper Arlington. His record over the last three seasons is a respectable 54-20.

Upon taking over, Coach Wanke presented a bold vision to create the most competitive high school program in the state. Coming off two Sectional Final appearances, the 2023-2024 season took a big jump towards reaching that goal. The team got out to its best start in over ten years and was consistently in the top 20 across the state. In Central Ohio, the team was ranked as high as #5. The Bears finished 19-3 in the regular season (8-2 in the competitive OCC) and 22-4 overall, ultimately losing in the District Finals. The three regular season losses were by a combined five points. For reference, since 1972, only three Upper Arlington teams have won more than twenty two games in a season. Marquee wins included Coffman (2x), Harvest Prep, Newark, Avon (IN), Mercy Academy (KY), New Albany, Grove City, Westerville South, Pickerington North and Hilliard Darby. The season offered the team the opportunity to compete in two high level showcases, Classic in the City and Battle in the 614. The team will participate again this season in these showcases as well as the Journey to the Tourney and the Carolina Invitational. Five players achieved All Conference OCC recognition with four set to return in Elizabeth Hunt, Ella Hanky, Ava Harrigan and Tatum Thrush. The Varsity team GPA average was 3.9.

Coach Wanke is incredibly passionate about the Upper Arlington community and has become a fixture in both the boys and girls basketball programs. As an assistant under Head Coach Tim Casey, he helped solidify the Golden Bears as one of the top programs in the state, highlighted by the State Title game in 2012-2013, three district championships and six league championships. He has also served as the head coach at the middle school and freshman level.

Much of Coach Wanke’s time presently is focused on building and harnessing excitement for basketball at the youth and middle school levels. With the help of many across the community, a best in class Grades 3-8 program has been established and continues to improve year over year.

A native of Dayton, OH, he has had the great fortune of playing and learning from two hall of fame coaches in Joe Petrocelli at Kettering Alter High School and Charlie Coles at Miami University (OH). While at Alter High School, his teams played in two state final fours and were ranked #1 in the state.

Coach Wanke has been married to his wife Erin for seventeen years. They have three children in the Upper Arlington school district. He is currently employed at Salesforce after spending close to fifteen years at Microsoft.

9/13/2024

Varsity Assistant Coach

Katie Smith

This will be Katie's 4th year helping with the Upper Arlington Girls' Team. Katie is currently the associate head coach for the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx and just finished her 11th season coaching in the WNBA. Katie played at The Ohio State University (93-96) and went on to play 17 years professionally in the ABL and WNBA. During her career she won 4 Championships (2 - Detroit Shock, 2 - Columbus Quest), 3 Olympic Gold Medals and is a member of both the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame and Naismith Hall of Fame. She is excited to help the program in any way possible to help these young ladies attain their goals on the court and off. Katie lives in Upper Arlington with her wife Yesenia and two kids; Yesslynn (18) and Lenin (12).

9/14/2024

JV Head Coach

DuJuan White

Coach White has been coaching in Upper Arlington for 8 years now. He has coached 8 years of football and 3 years of basketball. He's very excited to be a part of the girls program again this year. His previous stops have been Franklin Heights HS, Hastings MS, and Lakewood MS. A Native of Gadsden, AL, he lettered in basketball, football, and soccer during his years in high school. He moved to Ohio to attend The Ohio State University. Coach White currently works for the DODD as well as the Apex Coordinator for the UAHS. He is also completing his degree in Special Education. He currently resides in Columbus with his wife (Lola) and his 2 kids (Nikyel and Alexandria).

10/31/2024

Varsity Assistant Coach

Kendal Glandorff

Coach Glandorff is beginning her sixth season with the girls basketball program. Coach Glandorff was a four year varsity starter at Bowling Green High School where she is currently the all-time leading scorer in women's basketball history. She earned all league honors every year including Northern Lakes League player of the year and District Seven player of the year. She graduated from Ohio State University with degrees in Social Work and Public Affairs. Coach Glandorff is currently working for the Ohio Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs.

9/16/2024

Varsity Assistant Coach

Brianna Lowry

Bri Lowry enters her fourth year as the Golden Bears assistant varsity basketball coach. A former collegiate athlete, Lowry played her first two seasons at Randolph College, where she was named team MVP as a freshman and led the team in points and assists. She then transferred to and finished out her last two seasons at Westfield State University, where during her senior year she helped the team to a school best 24-6 record, appearances in the MASCAC and ECAC championships, and a #6 ranking among all Division III schools in the New England region. Outside of Upper Arlington, she is the Director of Performance for RYZE Athletics and has been working as a strength and conditioning coach for over 10 years.

9/14/2024

Freshman Head Coach

Jarret Hubbard

Coach Hubbard grew up in Worthington, Ohio playing basketball and soccer for Thomas Worthington High School. He played soccer at Otterbein University and graduated with his Masters in Healthcare Administration. This will be his 8th year as a basketball coach and his 4th year with Upper Arlington High School.

9/13/2024

Volunteer Assistant Coach

Jennifer Green

Jennifer Green, graduate from the UAHS Class of 2022, is beginning her third season with the girls basketball program as a volunteer assistant. She played basketball all four years of her high school career earning two varsity letters as a Golden Bear. Her passion for the game and the culture of this program is why she decided to return. She looks forward to contributing to the success of this program and continuing the rebuild from her senior year. Currently, she is attending The Ohio State University where she is pursuing a degree in Middle Childhood Education.

10/31/2024

Volunteer Assistant Coach

Jodi Green

Jodi Green is a graduate from the Class of 2022 at Upper Arlington High School. She is beginning her third season with the girls basketball program as a volunteer assistant. She played basketball all four years for the Bears and earned two varsity letters. This sport has played a major role in her life and has given her passion for the game. The contagious drive and culture this program is building is something special which was ultimately why she returned. She is excited to see the program to continue to grow and succeed. She is currently attending The Ohio State University where she is pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education.

10/31/2024