GASTONIA — Richard Carsner has been promoted to varsity men’s basketball coach at Ashbrook High School, according to a report in the Gaston Gazette.

       Carsner was elevated after 12 years as junior varsity head coach and varsity assistant.

       According to the Gazette, with the hire coming from within the program and all but one starter expected to return from Ashbrook’s 3A state runner-up team, Carsner is planning on a seamless transition.

       The new head coach Carsner replaces Chad Duncan, who began his new job as Gaston County Schools athletic director in March right after the NCHSAA state championship game.

       Carsner, 35, teaches American history at Ashbrook. He’s taught in the school’s social studies department since August 2003, the year he graduated from Appalachian State University with a bachelor’s degree in secondary history education.

       He’s enjoyed success with the JV basketball program, leading the Green Wave to eight conference championships (six outright, two shared), one undefeated season and a pair of one-loss seasons. His JV coaching record is 184-46, including an 18-1 mark this past season (13-1 in the Big South 2A/3A Conference. He has has also coached the varsity men’s tennis team all 12 of his years at Ashbrook, winning six conference titles. He’s coached the girls tennis team for the past 11 seasons, earning six conference championships.

       Ashbrook principal Joey Clinton said Carsner was the right pick for the job because he’s been loyal to the Green Wave basketball program, is a knowledgeable coach and builds positive relationships with students.

       “He’s a fantastic classroom teacher,” Clinton said. “What I’ve found is if you’re a good teacher in the classroom, you’re going to be a good teacher on the field.”

        Carsner resides in Belmont with his wife and two children. He graduated from Bunker Hill High School in 1998 before entering Appalachian State in the N.C. Teaching Fellows program.