Tom Russo picks his best coaching photos

Photographer Tom Russo shares his thoughts on his favorite coaching snapshots from 2011-12. On Saturday, Russo picks his best action pictures.

March 2, 2012: Aaron Spaulding

“Eastern Hancock boys’ basketball coach Aaron Spaulding is the quintessential high school coach, straight out of Central Casting in Hollywood. He shows up each and every game immaculately dressed in a blazer, sharp tie and a crisp starched shirt. Seconds after the tip-off though, the coat has been thrown to the bench, the tie is undone and the shirt looks a bit less starched. During this particular game, the sectional semifinals, EH had been getting bad call after bad call. When the referee decided to try and explain his situation, all Spalding could do from getting a technical foul was to bite his lip.”

May 18, 2012 / May 29, 2012: Gabe Muterspaugh and Mike McGill

Mt. Vernon girls’ tennis coach Gabe Muterspaugh ‘Tebows’ in celebration of his team’s sectional championship.

“Mt. Vernon softball coach Mike McGill (right) hates having his picture taken, but after his team wrapped up the sectional championship, I knew the girls needed some time to gather the water cooler for the traditional dunk shot. After a couple minutes of chit chat the girls got their coach soaked and I got my shot. As a funny sidebar to this picture, we were on a tight deadline and sports editor Brian Harmon and I both decided to risk a later deadline in hopes of a good jubilation shot at the end of not so fantastic 20-0 blowout, which ended by run-rule in the fifth inning. I’m glad we waited.”

September 30, 2011 / February 7, 2012: Doug Armstrong and Doug Laker

Mt. Vernon football coach Doug Armstrong searches for the right words after a 6-0 OT defeat to Greenfield-Central.

G-C girls’ basketball coach Doug Laker mulls his team’s 55-45 sectional loss to Pendleton Heights.

February 10, 2012: Jacki Negri

“New Palestine girls’ basketball coach Jacki Negri is very similar to Spaulding; you can just watch her face and tell how the team is doing. As a photographer, she’s a great subject to cover. She’s always giving you a story with just her face.”

March 17, 2012: Jenny Musselman

“Jenny Musselman’s expression kind of says it all as she looks on as New Palestine’s Whitney Weileman goes through her uneven bars routine at the state gymnastics meet. The reason for the NP coach’s presence was to hold onto the mat and protect Weileman from over-shooting her landing.”

January 28, 2012: Chad Red

Chair stunts are usually reserved for fake wrestling and the WWE, but during the sectional championships at Shelbyville, NP assistant Chad Red — now the team’s head coach — was so excited that he fell out of his chair in spite of a last-second save attempt by former head coach Steve Harding.

April 6, 2012: Shawn Lyons

“I really enjoyed covering baseball more this year than in times past, I don’t know exactly why, but this photo is probably one of my favorites. A perfect cool evening in the New Palestine dugout, the second game of a Friday night doubleheader and NP baseball coach Shawn Lyons didn’t even know I was there.”