NEWPORT-The newest assistant coach at Cocke County High School's is quickly paying dividends on the hardwood.

Kara Monk was hired over the summer as an assistant coach for the Cocke County Lady Red and has quickly embraced her role as a coach in her first year removed from college because it was something she knew she wanted to do since she was first playing the game.

"I've loved basketball ever since I was little," Monk said. "I was always telling everyone on our team when I was little what they needed to be doing."

Her passion for kids also led her into the teaching and coaching profession.

"I want to see kids succeed," Monk said. "That's why I wanted to get into coaching and that's the same reason I wanted to be a teacher."

Cocke County Lady Red coach Wade Wester said that the new addition to his coaching staff has been a positive fit for his team as they have prepared for the 2009-10 season.

"She brings a lot of spunk to the team," Wester said. "That's the way she played and that's how she is coaching.

"She brings a lot of fire to our team and the junior varsity team is already getting a lot of positive attention," Wester said. "Hiring Kara is going to pay off for us down the road."

Wester, himself a prep standout that also moved on to play the game collegiately, likes the addition of someone to the staff that not only has played the game at that level, but also brings in some of the newest ideas and drills to the team's practices.

"Being fresh out of college has allowed her to bring our team some new drills and things to do in practice and she's young enough to where she really understands the girls on the team," Wester said.

Monk comes from deep basketball roots throughout her playing career, playing her prep ball at Oliver Springs. While playing for the Lady Bobcats, the team went to qualified for the state tournament her junior year and finished in a sectional round appearance her senior season in 2005.

Her coach at Oliver Springs was Todd Wright, who is now the head coach of the Lady Scots at Maryville College. Monk credits him as being one of her inspirations for wanting to become a coach.

She also played her collegiate basketball at Milligan College, a NAIA member school, under coach Rich Aubrey.

In addition to her coaching role, Monk teaches physical education in the Cocke County School System at Bridgeport and Smoky Mountain Elementary Schools, a position she said she is thankful for.

"I want to thank both Coach (CCHS principal and former athletic director) Larry Williams and Wade for helping me get the job and everyone who's helped me out and made me feel welcome since being here," Monk said.