Coaching Staff
Football Coaching Staff
Russ Mann–Head Coach
Coach Mann is entering his first season as the Giants head coach. Last year he was an assistant coach for the Giants and prior to this, Coach Mann spent nine years teaching and coaching special teams and the defensive side of the ball at Warren Central High School. This is his 20th year of coaching in Central Indiana. He taught math and was a part of the 2013 and 2018 state championship teams at Warren Central. Prior to Warren Central, Coach Mann coached for two seasons at Lawrence Central, including the 2012 State Championship team. He taught at North Central High School for nine years, coaching for seven of them after graduating from Butler.
Coach Mann is a 1999 graduate of Concord High School where he was a captain on the 1998 4A State Runner-Up team, the Phil N Eskew Mental Attitude Award winner, and an Indiana Football Coaches Association All-Star. After Concord, he attended Butler University where he was a two-time All-Conference Defensive Back and team captain as a senior. Coach Mann was a member of the 4 x 100 Conference Championship team at Butler and the 2001 Mental Attitude Award Winner.
Coach Mann will be teaching in the PE Department. He and his wife Abbie have two girls, Ava (15) and Annie (13).
Voicemail: 317-988-7317
Aaron Allen–Running Backs Coach
Coach Allen is entering his second season as the Giants running back coach. Last year he served as an assistant running backs coach. Coach Allen began his coaching career in 2010 as the running backs coach at Indianapolis Broad Ripple High School where he served for three years.
In 2005, Coach Allen graduated from Ben Davis High School. While at Ben Davis, Coach Allen was a 3-year football letterman, and a part of the 2001 and 2002 State Championship teams. Coach Allen received Scout Team Player of the Year honors in both his sophomore and junior year before becoming a full-time starter his senior year. After graduation, he attended Kentucky Wesleyan College in Owensboro, Kentucky on a football scholarship, majoring in elementary education.
Coach Allen is a 10 year veteran of the Indiana State Police assigned to investigations. He has been married to his wife Myla for 9 years and has 3 children, Avery(17), Adrian(7) , and Erin(6)
Danny Brock–Hudl Manager
Coach Brock, a 1992 Ben Davis Graduate, is in his 1st full season as an Assistant Coach/HUDL Manager back at his Alma Mater. This is his 10th season coaching and 8th in high school football. Before Ben Davis, Coach Brock was on staff at Decatur Central High School in a similar role from 2017 – 2022 during a run that found the Hawks in the State Championship versus New Palestine in 2019. Prior to Decatur Central, he served on staff at Avon North Middle School North form 2013 – 2014, and Ben Davis High School as a Linebacker Coach in 2007.
Brock is a career firefighter with Washington Township Avon Fire Department where he is currently serving as the Fire Chief. He spent 17 years at Brownsburg Fire Territory in various ranks prior to joining WTAFD in February of 2023. A team builder at his core, Coach Brock left the business world 10 years after his graduation from Hanover College to pursue the fire service in order to bring the feeling of competition and team back into his life.
During his coaching career, Coach Brock has chosen to dedicate himself to the details of the game regarding the nuances that often go unnoticed by the fans. He has developed an understanding of the video production system, HUDL, that is crucial to any team staying competitive. Taking that understanding of our video systems, he has implemented a sideline production where coaches can give players crucial feedback between series throughout the game. Aside from the IT/AV part of the game, he has immersed himself into other details behind the scenes to define what it means to serve without ego in order to accomplish something greater for the team.
A 1992 graduate of Ben Davis High School where he was a member of the 1990 and 1991 Football State Championships and 1991 AP National Championship Team for Coach Dick Dullaghan’s Staff, Coach Brock went on to play at Hanover College. Starting at Linebacker from the 3rd game of his Freshman Season forward, he was fortunate to enjoy more team success until his graduation in 2006 under Coach Wayne Perry, another Hall Of Fame Football Coach. As a member of the Hanover College Football Team, Brock received two more championship rings as the Panthers won the ICAC Conference Championships in 2004 and 2005 with a Division III National Playoff Bid in the undefeated 2005 season. He graduated from Hanover College in 1996 with a Bachelor Of Arts in Business Administration. He and his wife of 23 years, Stephanie Brock, have 3 children, son Devin (23), daughter Kelli (22), and son Dalton (19).
Mark Brown–Offensive Line Coach
Coach Mark Brown is entering his first school year teaching and coaching at Ben Davis High School and his 17th overall at the high school and collegiate ranks. Coach Brown has spent the past six years teaching and coaching on the offensive and defensive side of the ball at North Central High School. He teaches social studies and was a part of the 2018 sectional and 2019 M.I.C. championship teams at North Central. Prior to North Central, Coach Brown taught and was the head coach for three seasons at Carroll Jr./Sr. High School (Flora), including a conference championship, undefeated regular season, and being named an Indianapolis Colts Coach of the Week in 2016. He also taught and coached at Central Catholic High School in Lafayette for six years, helping them to 4-peat state championships in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012. Coach Brown began his football coaching career at Earlham College as an offensive line graduate assistant coach in 2007 while earning his Master of Arts in Teaching.
During his coaching career, Brown has coached players who have earned All-Conference and Indiana All-State honors with many of his players going on to play college football and a few on to the NFL.
Coach Brown is a 2003 graduate of Tri-County Middle-Senior High School in Wolcott, IN where he was a co-captain on the football and baseball teams. After Tri-County, he attended Earlham College where he earned his B.A. in History and was awarded the Most Improved Player in 2005 and the Shane Smith Award recipient in 2006. Coach Brown was also a member of the baseball, and track teams while in college.
Coach Brown will be teaching in the Social Studies Department in the WNGC Academy at the Ben Davis NGC. He is the proud husband to his wife Angela, a Ben Davis Alumni and Wayne employee.
Nick Brown–Offensive Line Assistant
Bio will be posted when available.
Aaron Edwards–Head Junior Varsity Coach/Safeties Coach
Coach Edwards is entering his second season at Ben Davis but his 12th season overall. Prior to Ben Davis, Coach Edwards spent one season at Terre Haute North Vigo High School in 2012. In 2013, he joined Coach Mark Raetz at Northview High School in Brazil, Indiana, where he stayed through 2021. During his time at Northview, the school won 6 conference championships and its first sectional championship appearance in 2021. Coach Edwards is part of the Indiana Football Coaches Association, where he serves as the region 7 assistant coach rep. Also, he coached in the 2022 IFCA All-Star game.
Coach Edwards is a 2008 graduate of Terre Haute North, where he was a 3-year letterman in football and participated in track and field, throwing shotput and discus. He also made the IFCA Region 6 All-Star football team in 2007. Coach Edwards went on to play football at Indiana State University, where he graduated in 2013, as part of the defensive line. He’s currently a special education teacher at Ben Davis High School.
Coach Edwards is married to his wife, Alia, who is also a proud alumnae of Ben Davis (09) and a news anchor/reporter at FOX59/CBS4.
Voicemail: 317-988-7163
Danny Hardesty–Equipment Manager
This is Coach Hardesty’s 6th season on the Giants coaching staff, serving as the Equipment Manager. He has 22 years of youth coaching experiences with Ben Davis High School, Ben Davis Cadet Football, Jr. Giants, USA Soccer and Robey PTO Basketball.
Coach Hardesty graduated from Shelbyville High School. Following high school he went to work for the City of Indianapolis, where he has been employed now for 34 years.
Coach Hardesty’s wife, Melissa, is a Ben Davis graduate. They reside in Wayne Township with their son Reese.
Tony Henderson–Defensive Line Coach
Coach Henderson is in his 6th season as co-Defensive Line Coach for the Giants. This is his 20th season coaching high school football. Before Ben Davis, Henderson was the Head Football Coach at Arsenal Tech (2014-17), John Marshall (2012 & 13) and Thomas Carr Howe (2011). Henderson is a former Sports Performance Specialist who transitioned into the classroom during his tenure with Indianapolis Public Schools. Henderson was also the Head Freshman coach at North Central (2006 & 2007) and the interior defensive line coach at Warren Central (2004 & 2005).
During his coaching career, Henderson has cultivated players who have earned Indiana All-State, All-City, All-County and All-Conference honors with many of his players going on to play college football and a few on to the NFL.
A 1990 graduate of North Central High School, where he was a three-sport athlete and a heavily recruited All-American football standout. Henderson also twice qualified for the IHSAA State Wrestling meet (placing 5th in 1990). Henderson then took his academic prowess and athletic skills to the University of Michigan where he was a defensive lineman, starting 34 games during his career and earning All-Big Ten honors twice. He graduated in 1995 with a BS in Communications/Journalism. He and his wife, Jennifer have a son, Jameson and two daughters, Olivia and Amaya.
Evan Jaynes–Defensive Backs/Corners Coach
Coach Jaynes begins his 8th year of coaching and his first season coaching the defensive backs and corners for the Giants. He began his career as an JV assistant coach at Avon High School where he coached the wide receivers. He was then the assistant defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach at Zionsville High School for two years, helping them to an appearance in the 2020 5A State championship game. The last two seasons he spent at Speedway High School as the defensive coordinator. While there he helped them to a 9-3 record with a Sectional title appearance and first +.500 record in 11 years.
Evan graduated from Monrovia High School where he was a starter on the 2009 2A State runner-up team. He played at Mount St. Joseph University at Cincinnati and graduated with a degree in middle childhood education. Coach Jaynes currently teaches 8th grade social studies at Speedway Junior High.
His wife, Rickil, is an elementary school counselor in Franklin Township. They have a daughter, Emmie who is 4 years old and a son, Reis who is 1 year old. He and his wife reside in Wayne Township.
Mike Malone–Offensive Line Coach
Coach Malone graduated from Ben Davis in 2009. He was a member of the Ben Davis Track and Field and Football teams throughout his four years of high school. He set the indoor shot put record and holds the outdoor shot put relay record. Coach Malone was a member of the IHSAA State championship teams during 2008 and 2009. He was also selected as an Indiana All-Star to culminate a great career as a shot putter in 2009.
As a member of the Giants Football team, Coach Malone was also All-State and a Top 50 State player his senior year. He was also All-County his junior and senior year along with All-Conference his junior and senior year, Top 50 Allstate football team and All-Conference for 2 years and was selected as a North-South All-Star.
He graduated from St. Joseph’s College in 2014 with a degree in business administration. Coach Malone played football for the Pumas all four years.
Coach Malone works in the Athletic Department as an administrative assistant at the high school and works with the varsity as an offensive line coach. He is also an assistant coach for the Ben Davis Girls Track and Field Team where he coaches the throwers.
He and his wife Kiara reside in Wayne Township with their sons Trace and Teagen.
Voicemail: 317-988-7219
Luke Melloh–Junior Varsity Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach
Coach Melloh is in his 3rd year coaching at Ben Davis High School. He graduated from Noblesville High School in 2016 and DePauw University in 2020. At Noblesville, Coach Melloh was a 2-year letter winner at quarterback and a team captain his senior year. He went on to play quarterback at DePauw for 2 years before transitioning to a student coach role because of an injury.
Coach Melloh graduated from DePauw with a B.A. in Communication and a minor in Spanish. He then went back to school in 2021 to become an educator. Coach Melloh now teaches English at Ben Davis High School. He has a passion for impacting the youth and helping them on and off the field. He feels incredibly blessed to be a part of the West Side family.
Coach Melloh can now share that he is happily married. He met his wife, Jenna, in high school. The two reside in Zionsville where they hope to raise a family one day.
Voicemail: 317-988-7097
Jacob Rugen–Wide Receivers Coach
This is Coach Rugen’s 4th season with the Giants, and he is very excited to bring his athletic background, leadership skills, and experience as a military dependent to leading the players to their highest potential both on and off the football field.
Due to his father’s military orders, Coach Rugen had to move three times during high school and worked hard to be the starting QB and DB at all three schools ultimately leading the Clarksville Academy, where he graduated in 2014, to a Conference and Region Championship. During his tenure, he earned All-District, All-Region, All-Area, and Offensive Player of the Year honors for three seasons. Coach Rugen went on to play college football at Millsaps and Hanover College on Offense, Defense and Special Teams. As a two year starter, four year season letter winner, and Academic All Conference winner, he was part of the 2018 HCAC College Football Championship team. Coach Rugen graduated Summa Cum Laude with a dual degree in Special Education and Health & Movement Studies. He recently earned a Masters Degree in Special Education at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse.
Coach Rugen teaches in the Special Education at Ben Davis High School. He is excited to be part of the Indianapolis community as well as the Ben Davis football family.
Voicemail: 317-988-7353
Caleb Small–Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
This is Coach Small’s 6th season with the Giants, and his 11th season overall coaching on the offensive side of the ball. After one year of serving as the Wide Receiver’s Coach, he then took over as the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterback’s Coach.
He was an assistant coach at Noblesville High School for five seasons, coaching Tight Ends/H Backs, Quarterbacks, and was the Offensive Coordinator for two seasons. While at Noblesville High School he taught Business and IT and coached baseball as well.
Coach Small graduated from Hamilton Heights High School in 2008, where he was a letter winner in football, basketball, and baseball. After high school, Coach Small received his BS in Business Marketing and Secondary Education from Marian University on a football and baseball scholarship. He served as a captain on both the football and baseball teams, earned academic all-conference awards, and was a part of the 2012 NAIA National Championship team while awarded the Marian Knights Best Teammate Award.
Currently, Coach Small teaches in the Physical Education/Health Department at Ben Davis High School. Coach Small and his wife, Allison, reside in Cicero with their son Elliot and daughter Parker.
Voicemail: 317-988-7316
Chad Spann–Running Backs Coach
Coach Chad Spann will be in his first season coaching the Giants running backs. Chad attended North Central High School where he was a first team All-State selection his senior season. He holds the school single-season and career rushing yardage and touchdown record there. As a college player, Chad established a new single-season touchdown record for Northern Illinois. Coach Spann received the Vern Smith Leadership Award given by the Mid-American Conference. After college, he went on to play in the NFL for four years with the Colts, Steelers, Jets, Buccaneers, and Texans.
Steve Spinks–Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers Coach
Coach Spinks is entering his 2nd year as an assistant football coach at Ben Davis High School and his 18th season overall. He came to BD from Indian Creek High School where he spent the previous 2 years as head football coach and strength coach, and Cascade High School, where he was head football coach and strength coach for 4 years previous to his time at Indian Creek. Coach Spinks began his teaching and coaching career in 2007 at Whiteland Community High School under the tutelage of the great Darrin Fisher, where he remained until 2016.
Coach Spinks is a 2000 graduate of Ben Davis High School, where his teams compiled an overall 3 year record of 39-4. Playing under Coach Dick Dullaghan, Coach Spinks was a senior on the 15-0 1999 State Championship team, playing both sides of the ball at offensive tackle and defensive tackle. The 1999 team finished 6th in the nation in the Fox Sports National Polls.
Following his time at Ben Davis, he attended Indiana State University, majoring in Social Studies Education. Coach Spinks is a member of the Social Studies Department.
When he isn’t working at the high school, Coach Spinks enjoys spending time with his niece Brooklyn (12) and nephew Jackson (8), and all of his family.
Voicemail: 317-988-7417
Russ Sumner–Defensive Coordinator
This is Coach Sumner’s 5th year on staff both teaching and coaching at Ben Davis. He spent two seasons at Lawrence Central High School coaching the Offensive Line prior to joining our staff. Coach Sumner has been coaching football for 21 years. He will be coordinating the defense for the Giants this season.
Coach Sumner graduated from East Richland High School in Olney, IL in 1998. He earned his B.S. from Ball State University in Earth Space Science Education in 2003 and his M.S. in Athletic Coaching Education from West Virginia University in 2007.
Russ and his wife Elizabeth have been married for 18 years have three children: Alexandra, Lucas, & Isaac.
Voicemail: 317-988-7205
Andrew Weyler–Offensive Line Coach
This is Coach Weyler’s 9th year on the coaching staff as the assistant offensive line coach for varsity and JV. He graduated from Ben Davis in 2009 where he was a three-time letter winner in football.
Coach Weyler received his undergraduate degree from Wabash College in 2014 and was also a letter winner in football.
He currently teaches 6th grade at North Wayne Elementary School. Coach Weyler is happily married to his wife Paige.
Voicemail: 317-988-6129
Mark Zackery–Defensive Line Coach
Coach Zackery enters his 7th year on the Giants coaching staff, as well as his 7th year coaching defensive ends.
In 2002, Coach Zackery graduated from Ball State University with his Bachelor’s in Communication and Secondary Education. During his time at Ball State, Coach Zachery was a 4-year starter on the football team. While attending Ben Davis High School, Coach Zach was a 3-year starter, All-State player, and an Indiana All-Star; he graduated in 1997.
Mark has been married to his wife, Keisha (Ben Davis graduate), for 21 years, and they have 3 beautiful children, Mark, Jordan, and Mya.
Freshman Coaching Staff
Bo Thompson–Freshman Head Coach
Coach Thompson graduated from Ben Davis in 2003. He was a member of the Ben Davis football, basketball and track and field teams. He was a two-year starter for the Giants in basketball and football. As a wide receiver he was All-Conference(2001-2002) and All-State(2002). He was apart of three championship teams: 1999 (freshman- practice squad), 2001, 2002.
As a member of the basketball team, he was a two-year starter in 2001 and 2002. The Giants were 2003 Sectional Champions and made one Regional appearance. He also was a member of the 2002 track and field team. He ran anchor for the 4×100 and 3rd for the 4×400 State championship teams. He was also a 100 Meter Dash state qualifier and an Indiana All-Star (2002).
Coach Thompson played college football at the University of Saint Francis. He has 4 Conference Championships, 2 National Champion appearances, 3 Final Four appearances and was All-Conference as a wide receiver. He played one year of Arena football for the Fort Wayne Freedom. He spent 5 years coaching at North Central High School. He is now in his 8th season at Ben Davis, 13 total. He has also coached boys track and girls basketball for Ben Davis.
Coach Thompson and Gina have 2 sons Carmello 14 and Gabe 17 and his daughter Zoee 11.
Voicemail: 317-988-6940
Bishop Akers–Freshman Co-Defensive Coordinator/Freshman Defensive Line Coach
Coach Bishop Akers enters his first season as our freshman co-defensive coordinator/defensive line coach. He was a defensive lineman at Avon High School. He was also a member of the Avon boys baseball team all four years of high school. He was selected All Conference in baseball his senior year. Coach Akers graduated from Avon in 2021 and played football and baseball for one year at Hanover College. He now attends Ivy Tech College and works as a behavioral coach for The Akers Group.
Devin Brock–Freshman Offensive Line Coach
Coach Devin Brock, a 2019 Decatur Central Graduate, is in his 1st full season as an assistant freshman coach guiding the offensive line. This is his 5th season coaching and 2nd in high school football. Before Ben Davis, Coach Brock was on staff at Decatur Central Middle School as an assistant football and wrestling coach (2019 – 2020) and an assistant 9th grade football and wrestling coach (2021 – 2022). During his short time coaching, Coach Brock has not been part of a losing season. He has also focused on details beyond simply coaching athletes by voluntarily learning the nuances of our gameday setups in order to provide additional program value. Brock is currently seeking his degree in Mild to Moderate Special Education.
During his playing career, Coach Brock played fullback (freshman), linebacker (freshman), varsity defensive line (sophomore/junior) and later varsity offensive line (senior) the Decatur Central Hawks team. His 2019 senior season was an eventful one. Though he was playing a position he had no experience with, he was fortunate to have great coaches and play an invaluable role on the first ever DCHS Football team to make it to the State Finals. Though they fell short to a strong New Palestine Dragons team, Coach Brock became part of history with the Hawks. He went on to receive postseason honors as the Offensive Line Team MVP, All Mid-State Conference, and HM All-Marion County for Offensive Line. He was a selfless player who defined what it meant to have a “send me” attitude for the benefit of the team.
Harrison Goss–Freshman Co-Defensive Coordinator/Freshman Defensive Backs Coach
This will be Coach Goss’ second season on the coaching staff for the Giants. He is a 2016 Ben Davis Graduate where he participated as a 3-sport athlete in football, basketball, and track and field. Coach Goss was a part of the 2014 State Football championship team and has won multiple indoor state championships and 2 runner-up outdoor championships.
Coach Goss is a proud HBCU graduate at Kentucky State University where he graduated with his bachelor’s degree of science in Psychology with a concentration in Addiction. Coach Goss participated in football where he played safety and outside linebacker for the Thorobreds. Coach Goss also ran for K-State participating in the 100, 200, 4×100, 4×400, long jump and high jump at his time on the hill. Coach Goss is also coaching boy’s track and field in the spring for the Giants.
Jon Robinson–Freshman Running Backs Coach/Freshman Equipment Manager
This is Coach Robinson’s 6th year on the coaching staff. He will serve as the freshman running backs coach line coach and equipment manager this season. Coach Robinson received his undergraduate degree from Indiana State University in 2013 and has been coaching sports in Wayne since 2015.
He currently works in the Special Ed Department at Ben Davis High School, and is happily married to his wife Vickey.
Voicemail: 317-988-7050
Chris Sykes–Freshman Offensive Line Coach
Coach Sykes begins his 6th year of coaching and his first season coaching the freshman offensive lineman for the Giants. He began his career as a middle school coach at Avon Middle School South where he coached the offensive and defensive lineman for 5 years. He was the defensive coordinator coach at Avon Middle School South for three years.
Chris graduated from Cardinal Ritter High School in 2011. Coach Sykes was a player on the 2008 state team. He attended Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati. Coach Sykes is currently the in-school suspension supervisor for the Ben Davis Ninth Grade Center.
In Coach Sykes’ free time he enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Voicemail: 317-988-7554
Kevin Vanderbush–Strength Coach
Coach Vanderbush is in his 40th year as the strength and conditioning coach for all sports at Ben Davis High School. He teaches advanced weight training, which is a class that involves both strength training and athletic enhancement activities.
He has received his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) credentials through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). He is also the Co-Founder of the National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA).
Coach Vanderbush has received five different national awards:
- 2021 National High School Strength Coaches Association (NHSSCA) Hall of Fame
- 2008 American Football Monthly’s Samson High School Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year
- 2007 – NSCA – High School Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Year Award
- 2003 – AFLAC – National Assistant Coach of the Year Award
- 2001 – Professional Football Strength and Conditioning Coaches Society – National High School Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year Award
Coach Vanderbush graduated from Purdue University in 1984, and received his Masters degree from Indiana University in 1995.
He and his wife, Becky, have four children; Ky, Brock, Kortney, and Blake (Lauren), who have all graduated from Ben Davis High School – and two grandsons, Yale and Wright.
Voicemail: 317-988-7207
