By Thomas Grant Jr.
For two seasons, Jordan Leath led the Northside Christian Academy girls’ basketball team to its winningest stretch in school history.
He now heads across the street down Corley Mill Road to revive the River Bluff program.
On Wednesday, he was officially introduced as the new Lady Gators’ head coach. He replaces Candice Cobb who resigned after five seasons.
I’m genuinely grateful for the opportunity the River Bluff administration has given me to lead this program,” Leath said. “It’s a blessing to step into a community that values both athletic and personal development.
“What motivated me most is the potential I see here — not just in terms of talent, but in the chance to build something special through a culture of commitment, accountability, and competitive excellence. I have always believed that higher expectations create greater opportunities for growth. I’m excited to help our players embrace that challenge, knowing it will shape them on and off the court. The goal is to develop leaders and competitors, and I’m thankful to be trusted with that responsibility.”
Leath’s coaching resume includes coaching positions at Lexington Middle and High schools, Ben Lippen School and Oakbrook Preparatory School. The past two seasons, he led Northside Christian Academy to 37 wins, including a school-record 23-3 record, a region runner-up finish and SCISA Class 3A quarterfinal appearance.
“With years of experience in coaching and player development, Coach Leath has established himself as a leader who values both hard work and discipline,” River Bluff athletics director Andrew Peckham said. “His ability to build strong relationships with players and create a competitive, team-first culture has been a key factor in his success. He is known for his emphasis on fundamental skills, strategic game planning, and fostering a winning mindset among student-athletes.
“Under his leadership, River Bluff High School expects to see growth not only in the team’s performance but also in the overall development of its players. Coach Leath is eager to begin working with the team and looks forward to bringing his high-energy coaching style and dedication to excellence to the River Bluff program.”
Leath trusts the “strong foundation” at River Bluff which has the ingredients of creating a successful program when “paired with intentional leadership and a commitment to player development.” He looks back at his experience at Northside Christian and sees a reminder of how this is possible.
“We went from 14 wins to 23-3, made a playoff run(elite eight finish), and had multiple players earn postseason honors,” he said. “But more importantly, we built a team-first culture that players and coaches believed in. That experience reinforced that success comes from daily investment, unity, and a willingness to put in the work. I’m eager to bring that same energy and commitment to River Bluff.”
A Lady Gators Basketball Camp is set for June 9-11 from 9 a.m. to noon for hoop prospects from 3rd to eighth grade.
Leath did not dismiss the possibility of other NCA coaches or players joining him at River Bluff. For now, he’s focused on the “young ladies” currently in place to lay a strong foundation for the future.
“The long-term vision is to create a system where players want to be part of this program because of the culture, the competition, and the opportunity to grow both as players and as people,” he said. “I’m humbled by this opportunity and committed to building something lasting that this school and community can be proud of.”
