Ott named new Ladycats coach

Donny Ott has been named the head varsity girls basketball coach at Aledo High School.

Ott has been the head girls basketball coach at Summer Creek High School in the Humble ISD - a 2023-2024 UIL Class 6A state semifinalist - for the past year. Prior to that, he was the head girls basketball coach and athletic academic coordinator at Cedar Park High School in the Leander ISD for six years. 

The Timberwolves were back-to-back Class 5A state champions in 2021 and 2022 with a perfect 37-0 season in 2021-2022 with Ott at the helm. Cedar Park had a 63-game win streak in 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, at the time, the nation’s second-longest active public school win streak.

“We are so excited for coach Ott to join us as head girls basketball coach at Aledo High School,” Aledo ISD Athletic Director Brandy Belk said. “He is all about excellence and growth for student-athletes. His players will feel supported, safe and encouraged but also pushed to do their best on the court and in the classroom.”

Ott was an associate head boys basketball coach (2009-2013) and then the head girls basketball coach (2014-2017) at North Crowley High School. He was also the head boys basketball coach, head golf coach and an assistant football coach at Cuero High School (2008-2009), the head boys basketball coach and head cross country and track coach at Walnut Springs High School (2004-2008), and the head boys basketball coach and assistant varsity football and track coach at Grapeland High School (2002-2004). 

Ott, who has 405 career wins, was named the 2020-2021 Texas High School Girls Coach of the Year, Texas Girls Coaches Association Coach of the Year, and National Sectional Coach of the Year; the 2012-2013 Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Assistant Coach of the Year; and the 2009-2010 North Crowley High School Teacher of the Year. 

“I’m truly honored and excited to become the next head girls basketball coach at Aledo High School,” Ott said. “I am looking forward to continuing the successes of the Aledo tradition that coach Hyles has worked hard to establish. We are extremely excited about raising our family in the Aledo community and school district and growing as members of the Ladycat family!”

Ott has a bachelors degree from Angelo State University. Ott’s wife Carissa will also be joining the Bearcat family as a special educator for Aledo ISD.