TRENTON — Xavier Fugate wasn’t searching for another coaching opportunity when it arrived.
Fresh off his first season as Eaton’s boys basketball coach, the Edgewood graduate expected to continue building that program. Then, in the middle of June, the job at his alma mater unexpectedly opened, setting in motion a whirlwind that ultimately brought him back home.
“It all happened really fast,” Fugate said. “Coming into the middle of June, I didn’t really see it coming. We had every intention of staying at Eaton. Then the job popped up, and my wife and I sat down and had a conversation about where we saw ourselves in the future.”
That conversation made the decision clear.
“Once we had that conversation, it became easier,” Fugate said. “I genuinely cared about the kids and community at Eaton because when you coach and teach, you build relationships. But Edgewood means so much to me. I can’t put into words how honored I am to be the next head coach at Edgewood.”
The Edgewood Athletic Department officially introduced Fugate as the Cougars’ new varsity boys basketball coach Tuesday, June 30, bringing one of the program’s most accomplished former players back to lead the team he once helped elevate.
Fugate replaces Jason Osterman, who stepped down after five seasons to return to Monroe. Osterman said he was not seeking another job when Monroe approached him with an opportunity to teach while joining the school’s varsity basketball and football coaching staffs.
“I wasn’t looking to leave Edgewood and didn’t apply anywhere,” Osterman said. “But I went to Monroe, we live in Monroe, my kids go to Monroe, and my wife teaches at Monroe. I just felt like it was the right time to make the move.”
The timing of Osterman’s departure created an unexpected opportunity for Fugate.
A 2009 Edgewood graduate, Fugate was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2020 for his accomplishments in football and basketball. After serving several years in the United States Army, he returned to Edgewood as a teacher and coach, leading the girls basketball program from 2021-24 before spending last season as Eaton’s boys basketball coach.
Edgewood athletic director Scott Clemmons said Fugate’s background and connection to the school made him the right person to guide the program.
“The Edgewood Athletic Department is excited to have Coach Fugate back home leading the Edgewood men’s basketball program,” Clemmons said. “Coach Fugate brings a wealth of basketball knowledge and a deep understanding of what Edgewood basketball means to this community. He is an Edgewood Hall of Famer that will bring passion, tenacity and heart to the program.”
The hiring also represents a homecoming in more ways than one.
Fugate has taught at Edgewood for the past five years, serving as both a building substitute and American history teacher. Many of the players he’ll coach have known him since middle school, and his family ties throughout the district have made the transition almost seamless.
“The kids that are going to be seniors now, I’ve known them since they were in seventh grade,” Fugate said. “Now it’s my friends’ kids coming through the system. My own kids are starting school here. Some of my cousins are in the district. After teaching here for five years and coaching football and girls basketball, those relationships are already there.”
Fugate also inherits a program on the rise.
Edgewood finished 15-8 last season after clinching a share of the Southwestern Buckeye League Southwestern Division under Osterman.
Rather than overhaul what Osterman built, Fugate said he wants to build upon it while putting his own stamp on the program.
“Jason did a phenomenal job,” Fugate said. “People have to understand that we’re very different people and we’re going to coach differently. I’m going to try to keep the excellence that he established, but it’s going to look different. I’m an Edgewood guy. I’m going to bring back the passion and love that I had for Edgewood when I was playing here 20 years ago.
“But I’m building off what Jason did. The experience he gave these kids matters. When people come watch Edgewood basketball, it’s still going to be the blue, white and silver. It’s still going to be who we are.”
Fugate said assembling his coaching staff has already begun, with several coaches expressing interest now that he has returned to Butler County. He plans to meet with his players immediately and begin offseason workouts despite the late start.
“We’re meeting with the kids this week, and then it’s time to get to work,” Fugate said. “It’s late to be hiring a coach, but it’s time to get in the gym, get shots up and start building. Before we know it, it’ll be September workouts and then basketball season.”
One aspect of his philosophy, however, won’t involve year-round specialization.
A standout football player himself, Fugate said he encourages his players to compete in multiple sports and hopes many of his basketball players are busy representing Edgewood in other athletic programs throughout the fall.
“If it were up to me, I hope I don’t see many of my basketball kids right now,” Fugate said. “I hope they’re on the football field, the soccer field or the golf course. If we want to be the program we can be, we need our best athletes playing multiple sports.”
He said the competitive culture established throughout Edgewood athletics — particularly within the football program — helps prepare athletes for success across every sport.
“Edgewood football has been just as much a part of my life as Edgewood basketball since I was 15 years old,” Fugate said. “When kids experience that winning culture, it transfers over. Basketball has had success, football has had success. It’s a good time to be an Edgewood Cougar.
“Being able to take over the program that I was part of 20 years ago is an incredible honor. My goal is to help these young men become great people who take pride in representing Edgewood every single day.”
