Fred Davis is coming home.

He has been named girls basketball coach at Northridge High School, where he began his coaching career more than 30 years ago.

Davis coached the Vikings for two seasons, posting a 12-9 record in both the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons. Since then, he had been an assistant coach at Newark, the school district in which he teaches.

"This will be the third time I've coached at Northridge, starting as an assistant to Denny Morris with the girls program for two seasons (1980-81 and 1981-82) when I started teaching," Davis said. "I still have a feeling for the district. It's like coming home."

Davis replaces Ashley Holmberg, who resigned last month after compiling a 20-24 record in two seasons.

"We're very fortunate to have Fred back at Northridge," athletics director Wayne Howard said. "The parents thought a lot of him and he is well thought of at Newark. He lives in our district, knows our district and has a lot of basketball knowledge."

Davis also served as an assistant coach for the boys basketball team at Northridge in the late 1990s and early 2000s under coach Rich Bell.

"I like to push the ball, but I want to see what kind of talent we have coming back," said Davis, who will be assisted by his sons, Daniel and James. "When given a choice on the defensive side, I like to change defenses and force opponents into playing the way we like them to play.

"I kind of like to look at my kids and find our strengths. I'm pretty flexible at what we do on offense, but I definitely like to run and push the ball up the floor when we can."

Last season, Northridge finished 7-15 overall and went 2-12 in the MBC to place eighth, behind Centerburg (12-2), Johnstown (11-3) Utica (11-3), Fredericktown (7-7), East Knox (5-9), Danville (4-10) and Loudonville (4-10).

The Vikings had a first-round bye in the Division III district tournament and defeated Marion Elgin 34-31 in the second round before losing to fourth-seeded Centerburg 68-28 in a district semifinal. It was the Vikings' first district semifinal appearance since 2002 when they lost to North Union 54-53.

Northridge went 13-9 in the 2010-11 season.

"We're playing in a summer shootout at Newark," said Davis, who teaches science at Liberty Middle School in Newark. "I'll learn more about the team from what I see there."

Smith named girls volleyball coach

John Smith has been named girls volleyball coach.

A math teacher at Northridge, he replaces Christine Demas, who resigned after 10 seasons leading the program.

According to Howard, Demas will serve as an assistant coach. Howard said she no longer could commit the time needed to lead the program.

Last season, Northridge finished 7-8 overall and went 6-8 in the MBC to tie East Knox for fifth, behind Centerburg (13-1), Fredericktown (11-3), Utica (10-4) and Loudonville (8-6) and ahead of Danville (2-12) and Johnstown (0-14).

The Vikings lost to eighth-seeded Fredericktown 27-25, 25-19, 25-23 in the first round of the Division III district tournament.

Smith has been an assistant boys basketball coach at Northridge.