Germantown Friends hires PhilaU's Werdt as basketball coach

Germantown Friends School has hired former Philadelphia University assistant Shawn Werdt as its new head boys' basketball coach, the school announced Tuesday.

Werdt spent the past five years leading the Rams' player development and strength and conditioning programs, going 104-46 and making three NCAA Division II Tournament appearances on Hall of Fame head coach Herb Magee's staff.

"I learned a ton from Coach Magee about how he's built a tradition and the culture. At Philadelphia University, we always have alumni coming back and wanting to still be a part of the program, which is really important to me," said Werdt. "GFS is an opportunity to really have a career and hopefully build something similar in the Friends Schools League."

Former Tigers coach Brandon Jones, a 2000 graduate of GFS, is stepping down to spend more time with his family, but will coach the middle school boys' basketball team and continue as the school's assistant athletic director.

"Brandon just wanted to pass the program on to someone who could give it more time," said Germantown Friends athletic director Katie Bergstrom Mark.

"[Jones] got the program pointed in the right direction, especially with the group of young players he has here now," said Werdt. "I want to take the Germantown Friends program to places it has never been, and I am looking forward to new and positive firsts for the program."

Werdt, a first-grade teacher at Franklin Towne Charter Elementary School, was a four-year letterman at West Chester University and spent a season as an assistant coach at Kennett High School prior to his tenure in East Falls.