The pen pushes into the clipboard, play after play.

“Run it again,” says Coppell ISD athletics director Kit Pehl, now also coaching the Cowgirls basketball team.

Pehl leads Coppell with 18 years of coaching experience from Keller, Keller Central and Coppell. He returns to coaching while retaining his position as AD with 278 career wins and two District Coach of the Year honors. Pehl is committed to the girls basketball program, stamping his defensive mindset with detailed preparation for every opponent.

“I am very defensive-minded. I feel like I put us in a position to take away what people do best,” Pehl said. “It’ll give us a chance to win as opposed to depending on a shooting percentage.”

He builds the basketball team and athletic program, though creating a comfortable environment for athletes and coaches to give input and grow.

“Even though I am in a leadership role, my goal and my prayer on a daily basis is to serve those that I have the opportunity to come in contact with,” Pehl said. “I want people to be better versions of themselves because they have the opportunity to cross my path.”
After the clock strikes 8 p.m. sophomore guard Amber Coffey enters the CHS Arena with the lights dim, with the goals lowering to practice.

“He opens the gym for me no matter if it’s 8 p.m. on a weekend or a random weekday,” Coffey said. “He spends a lot of time making individual film highlights for every single player so we can watch and learn from what we did. His practice plans are very intentional and well thought out, so we don’t waste any time.”

Coppell junior forward Mallory Cooper sees his dedication to each athlete.

“He always says to do your job, because everyone has one,” Cooper said. “He helps me grow as a player by showing me that mistakes are normal.”

Pehl alters how the Cowgirls operate from day to day.

“The standard is a lot higher than last year,” Tran said. “He’s what you expect out of a coach, runs a high-level program.”

While balancing two positions, Pehl has found his common ground between managing the entire athletic department and girls basketball team.

“I have never seen a coach who puts in so much effort and works for their team as much as Coach Pehl,” Coffey said. “He fully believes in every single player, and demands our best effort every single time we step on to the floor.”

During the day or after school, the lights stay on and the door is cracked, open for athletes to meet with Pehl.

“If a relationship is absent, respect will all be minimized,” Pehl said. “It’s important for an athlete to know that my door is open and walking through that door the first time is going to benefit a coach to athlete relationship further down the road. It’s imperative.”

Tran notes that expectations stay consistent across the roster.

“It could be the highest level girl on varsity, or the brand new freshman, and everyone is coached the same,” Tran said. “We don’t care who you are, you’re going to get coached, and if you don’t like being coachable, then you’re going to accept it or you’re not going to be here.”
Pehl looks through multiple perspectives before making final decisions, and listens to many voices.

“Hearing a student athlete’s voice is really important and that’s why their pulse is not always the most important thing,” Pehl said. “If you never know that, then you will be a less effective coach.”

An athlete’s talent puts a weight on their shoulders, and with every plate on the bar is more responsibility to push past those difficult moments.

“He really improved my defense, and instilled a growth mindset into me,” Coffey said. “He also helped me value effort and discipline more than whether or not my shots are going in, which helps me focus during the game.”

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