In new head coach Jason Harlow, the girls basketball program hired a decorated veteran with one of the best resumes in the state.
Hired from Chelsea High School where he led the Hornets to a 172–55 record overall, Harlow will take over the team from Gavin King. His successful run with Chelsea culminated with a trip to the 6A state championship game last season, where Chelsea fell to Park Crossing in the finals.
He’s a four-time Shelby County Coach of the Year and has 6A and 7A Coach of the Year awards under his belt as well.
Harlow is eager to get to work with his new team, citing the importance of being productive in the offseason, both on and off the court.
“We have incredible student athletes within this program and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to work with them in the coming weeks,” Harlow said. “There will be some changes in our style of play, so we will really have to utilize our time accordingly over the course of the summer.”
Harlow says the team will strive to be the best defensive team they can possibly be, applying pressure in the full court and playing matchup zone in the half.
Offensively, they will be a team who takes pride in sharing the basketball and will balance the floor well. They want to be strong in transition and value possessions in the half.
Harlow says his long-term vision for the program is to establish a culture based off of hard work, discipline and teamwork. He wants to continue to add to the strong culture and tradition that Homewood already displays.
“We want to represent this community and high school in the best possible light,” Harlow said. “Even though there will be a learning curve this season, we want to be playing our best basketball at the end of the year and be a tough out in the playoffs.”
Homewood athletic director Rick Baguley believes the school hired one of the best basketball coaches in the state and was particularly drawn to Harlow’s care for his players and enthusiasm for the sport.
“I think this hire will continue the success that we have had in basketball within Homewood,” Baguley said. “Both our boys and girls programs have experienced great success in recent years, and I believe that Coach Harlow will jump right in and put his own stamp on continuing the tradition we have established.”
Baguley said the athletics department will do whatever it can to help Harlow develop his plan on the program, just as they would any other coach.
“Our job is to help our coaches be successful,” Baguley said. “From hiring assistant coaches, providing an outstanding gameday experience, and encouraging professional development opportunities, our goal is to support each coach and program as best we can.”
Rising senior Ellis McCool is looking forward to the opportunity to play for a coach like Harlow.
“It’ll take a minute to adapt to his style of play,” McCool said. “But I’ve heard the Chelsea girls speak highly about him and the style he plays both offensively and defensively. I’m ready to make things happen with him as our coach.”
With a decorated resume and a clear vision for the future, Harlow brings both experience and energy to a Homewood program eager to build on its recent success. As the Patriots prepare for the upcoming season, there is a renewed sense of excitement and purpose with strong leadership from returning players like McCool and a new coaching staff committed to kickstarting the next phase of the program.
Here is a list of Harlow’s achievements during his time at Chelsea:
Final Four in 2021 and 2025 (State Runner-Up)
Sweet 16 the past seven years and the Regional Finals four out of the last five years
Shelby County Coach of the Year: 2019, 2021, 2024, 2025
All-Metro South Coach of the Year 2021
AABC 7A Coach of the Year 2024
AWSA 6A Coach of the Year 2025
