The report says Besu brings four decades of coaching experience from across north-east Ohio, along with previous spells at Westlake, Berea-Midpark and Elyria Catholic. He also owns West Side Stars Soccer Club, a detail that points to deep roots in player development rather than a narrow focus on Friday-night outcomes.
That matters. Programmes at school level rarely improve through tactics alone. They improve when the coach can teach habits, organise development and set expectations that last beyond one season. Reports suggest Besu’s plan is built around character, accountability and teamwork, which is usually the clearest sign of a long-view appointment.
The move does not stand alone.
Taken together, that looks less like routine hiring and more like a school-wide push for stability. Highland appears to be prioritising coaches who know how to build programmes, not just manage teams.
For Besu, the first task is likely to be cultural. Results usually follow when a squad understands its standards, and the report says he wants a programme that reflects Highland’s values and improves over time. That phrasing is important: it frames success as a process.
The next storyline will be how quickly that process becomes visible once the 2026-27 year begins - and whether Highland’s boys’ football side shows early signs of a clearer identity under Besu.