William AllenHigh School

WAHS Selects New Head Boys Basketball Coach and Athletic Director

WAHS Selects New Head Boys Basketball Coach and Athletic Director
Posted on 05/28/2020

On Thursday, May 28, during the ASD regular board meeting, the board of directors accepted the retirement of long time Boys’ Basketball Coach Doug Snyder, as well as the appointment of his successor Mr. Darnell Braswell. 


Braswell is a WAHS graduate who played under Coach Snyder and continued his collegiate career at DeSales University. Braswell has coached several area high schools and most recently served as the  Assistant Men's Basketball Coach and Director of Athletic Recruiting at DeSales. 


“I walked the streets of Allentown, I played at Union Terrace, Boys/Girls Club, Raub MS, and Allen,” said Braswell. “I came from a single-parent household. The big thing is I know what these kids are dealing with on a daily basis, I’ve been there.  I want to inspire them and put them on the same positive trajectory Allen put me on.” 


Additionally, current WAHS Assistant Principal, Mr. Randy Atiyeh, was named the school’s new athletic director, succeeding Mr. Scott Cooperman, who announced his retirement last month. Atiyeh has been at WAHS for the last six years as a PE Teacher, Dean of Students, 9th-grade assistant principal, and assistant Boy’s Basketball coach. 


I have never measured a successful athletic program by wins and losses in the athletic arena, what is more important is that an athletic program provides opportunities for student-athletes to become champions in life,” said Atiyeh. “Utilizing sports to develop successful minded young people that will go on to lead successful lives for themselves and their families. I view every single day as an opportunity to improve. and that will be the expectation. That goes for everyone in our athletic program, from the Athletic Director-The Coaching Staffs-To the Student Athletes.” 


WAHS Principal Shannon Mayfield spoke highly of Coach Snyder and was excited to officially introduce the new staffing picks to the community during the meeting. Several board members, ASD administrators, and members of the community also shared their reactions to the new selections and their memories on the impact that Coach Synder had on students in Allentown during his tenure. 


“When I think of Coach Snyder, the adjectives that immediately come to mind are: Distinguished, Outstanding, Unparalleled,and Greatness,” said Mayfield.  “With Randy Atiyeh as Athletic Director and Darnell Braswell as the Basketball Coach, the benefits to Canary Nation by way of the Nurturing from Doug Snyder will be witnessed for years to come!!”


For over two decades Cooperman & Snyder were pillars of the Allentown community on and off the court. Both Atiyeh and Braswell are excited to start in their new roles and connect with students, families, and the community. 



Additional Media Coverage: 

WFMZ: Allen hires Braswell as new basketball coach


Morning Call: Former Allen, DeSales standout Darnell Braswell named new Canaries boys basketball coach


Morning Call: Randy Atiyeh approved as new Allen High athletic director