B.J. DEPEW

The OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game will certainly be nothing new for the Linsly School coaching staff.

West Virginia and Linsly head coach B.J. Depew announced the members of his coaching staff that will join him at Bethany College on Sunday, July 18 for the start of OVAC camp to prepare for the game, which is slated for July 24 at Wheeling Island Stadium.

Joining Depew on the Mountain State sideline will be Chris Kiedaisch (offensive coordinator), James Wallace (defensive coordinator), Brian Valentine (offensive line), Gee Lofstead (defensive line) and Doug Tush (receivers/defensive backs).

“I am really fortunate to have had the core group of the staff with me for quite a while,” Depew said. “To have that many Linsly alums, all of whom played in the program adds an element to it and says a lot to our kids. They’re all very knowledgeable and I know they’re excited to meet and work with these kids (in the all-star game).”

Here’s a capsule look at the West Virginia staff:

B.J. DEPEW, Linsly — Since taking over for his father at the helm of the Cadets, Depew has continued the long line of success of Cadets’ football.

Depew has spent the last 15 seasons as the head football coach. That came on the heels of working under his father, Terry, for seven years.

Depew has guided his alma mater to a pair of OVAC titles (2011 and 2017) and is embarking on his third go-around as the head coach in the all-star game. He also earned Ohio Valley Football Coaches Association Coach of the Year three times as well.

Along with football, Depew gained coaching experience in baseball and track and field. He presently serves as the Linsly Director of Athletics.

Depew is a 1994 graduate from Linsly and then Ohio State University in 1999.

B.J. and his wife, Tracy, have two children — a son Isaac and a daughter, Noelle.

CHRIS KIEDAISCH, Linsly — This former Cadet quarterback has become a key cog on Depew’s staff since joining.

Kiedaisch has coached at his alma mater for seven seasons and prior to that he spent a season at his collegiate alma mater, West Liberty.

Along with football, Kiedaisch is currently on the Linsly baseball staff. He previously coached basketball, too.

Kiedaisch, who has been involved with the all-star game in 2008 and 2014, is married to Jaclyn Kiedaisch.

GEE LOFSTEAD, Linsly — This veteran member of the staff has worked under Depew for the last eight seasons.

Lofstead graduated from Linsly in 1986 and then attended Lafayette College and eventually graduated from Temple University’s law school.

During his prep days, Lofstead was a standout player, earning a spot in the 1986 OVAC All-Star Game, serving as team captain.

Along with football, Lofstead has coached both youth hockey and lacrosse.

Gee and his wife, Christina, have two children — Graham and Bridget.

DOUG TUSH, Linsly — The newest member to the Cadets varsity staff is no stranger to football coaching or Linsly.

Tush is ascending to the varsity staff after spending the last four seasons as the head junior high coach. Prior to that, he spent time on the Wheeling Park and Bridgeport coaching staffs.

On top of football, Tush coached baseball at Wheeling Park for 10 years, including half of that stretch as the skipper. He was also the director of athletics at Bridgeport, earning Athletic Director of the Year in 2014.

Tush is a graduate of Wheeling Park in 1991. He earned his bachelor’s degree at West Liberty and his master’s degree at West Virginia.

Doug and his wife, Kerri, have two children, a son Trevin, who was chosen for the 2020 All-Star Game after a career at Linsly; and a daughter, Jensen, who is entering her freshman year at Linsly.

BRIAN VALENTINE, Linsly — This long-time assistant has been with Depew every step of the way during his coaching career.

Valentine, who also serves as the head wrestling coach at Linsly, has spent all 15 years of his coaching career working with Linsly.

In wrestling, Valentine has helped revitalize the Linsly program. He won both a dual and tournament championship in Class 3A and twice been named conference wrestling coach of the year.

Valentine, who owns a a degree from West Liberty, shined in football, wrestling and baseball during his prep days.

Brian and his wife, Brittany, have four sons — Chase, Landon, Cade and Steele.

JAMES WALLACE, Linsly — This former Cadet standout has found a home as one of Depew’s chief aides.

Wallace has worked with the Cadets football program for the last 13 seasons. Along with those duties, he spent several seasons as the boys head basketball coach and also worked with the baseball team. Presently, he’s also a member of the track coaching staff.

Wallace graduated from Bethany where he played both basketball and baseball and earned his master’s degree from Muskingum.

James and his wife, Katie, are the parents one a daughter, Emma.