BELLAIRE — Josh Kernik knows he has big shoes to fill.

The 29-year-old Shadyside High School and Wheeling Jesuit University graduate, however, has never been one to shy away from a challenge.

Kernik received his latest challenge Monday afternoon when the Bellaire Local Schools Board of Education approved him, by a 5-0 vote, as the next Director of Athletics. He will take over for the legendary Mike Sherwood, who retired, for the second time in his career, after spending four years as the Big Reds’ A.D.

“Taking the position after Mr. Sherwood is no easy task. He’s an absolute legend,” Kernik said. “I just want to keep the boat headed in the direction that it’s been steered because Mr. Sherwood did an amazing job with the athletic department, the kids and my goal is to just live up to that and keep it going.”

Kernik formally begins his new role on July 1, but he’s well aware that the work must begin now.

“Anytime you take on a new challenge or go down a new avenue in life, I’ve found it to be scary and exciting all at the same time,” Kernik said. “I’ve found that when I’ve challenged myself, I’ve been the best version of myself. That’s something I’ve tried to instill in players I’ve coached and students I’ve taught.”

Kernik moves into his new role after spending six years in the classroom, including the last three as a special education teacher at the middle school.

“There are two choices in any situation … the right one and the easy one,” Kernik said. “It would have been very easy to not accept a challenge like this, but that doesn’t mean it would have been the right choice to make.”

Upon his arrival at Bellaire, in 2015, he landed a position on the Big Reds’ baseball staff.

After three seasons as the chief assistant, he ascended to the head-coaching position for the last three seasons, counting the 2020 season which was canceled due to COVID-19.

“There are people in this district who can coach the kids to the caliber they need to be coached in baseball, and I didn’t feel like I could be completely there and be the A.D.,” Kernik said. “I felt that wouldn’t be fair to the kids. I didn’t want to divide my attention. I wanted to do one thing to the best of my ability.”

In his new role, as an administrator, Kernik will step away from his coaching duties. The chance to get into the administrative side of school and sports was simply too much for Kernik to pass up.

“I’ve always been a sports guy and I’ve always had a goal to be in an administrative role,” Kernik said. “With Mr. Sherwood being at the end of his career, this was just a perfect opportunity to tackle the next goal.”

Along with Kernik’s approval, the Bellaire Board of Education also approved Sherwood to receive no more than 20 days, at his normal pay rate, to help with the transition. Kernik admits he has a lot to learn in a short amount of time, but he cited the fact that the Big Reds boast a staff of veteran head coaches which should also help ease the transition.

“I plan to use everyone as a resource,” Kernik said. “I am not coming into this thinking I know everything or my answer is always right or final. I am just trying to make it the best I can because, ultimately, it’s about the kids.”

Kernik takes over a Big Reds’ athletic program that is in the midst of a multi-million dollar renovation project at Nelson Field. And speaking of football, the Big Reds are still searching for a Week 3 opponent.

“In my short-term experience of coaching baseball, we have a lot of high-character students who play sports,” Kernik said. “Ultimately, I want to continue that pathway where we have high-character people before they’re exceptional athletes. With our teaching, administration and our parents, it all points toward success on and off the field.”

Kernik was a standout baseball player at Shadyside High School. After graduating in 2011, he went to Wheeling Jesuit and was a four-year mainstay in the Cardinals’ pitching rotation.

He graduated with a degree in elementary education and a minor in special education. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in academic leadership from America College of Education. .

Josh and his wife Erica reside on Sand Hill.