One of the two new Omaha Public Schools set to open in the fall has hired their boys and girls basketball coaches. 

Tuesday, OPS announced the hiring of Jason Simons to lead the girls basketball program. Simons is leaving Wahoo Neumann after 13 seasons as the head coach of the Cavaliers leading them to three state titles, one runner-up and one third place finish.  

Runco Named Boys Coach

Thursday the school announced the hiring of Mitch Runco to lead the boys basketball program. Runco, is currently the Omaha Sports Academy Select Boys Program Director and will continue in that role while leading the Wolverines program. 

Runco is no stranger to Omaha. A 2003 graduate of Omaha Burke. Runco worked at OSA from 2009-2011. Prior to that he was a student manager at Kansas University (2004-09) helping the Jayhawks to four Big XII titles and the 2008 National Championship. 

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity Dr. Lee and coach Behrens have provided me and I am excited to work with all of our student athletes,” Runco said. “It’s an honor to serve this school and our community. Westview will be a special place given it’s strong leadership and I’m anxious to be a part of it.”

Runco moved to California after his first stint at OSA leading the team St. Bernard High School (Los Angeles, CA) as head coach from 2012-2020. In his time at St. Bernard the Vikings won the CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) title in 2015 and the CIF Southern Region title in 2016. While in Los Angeles, Runco also served as a head coach of Compton Magic from 2014-2021 and has coached 23 Division I players and two NBA lottery picks (Evan Mobley and Onyeka Okongwu).