Oakland Mills’ newest teacher and coach

Welcome new basketball coach and Oakland Mills teacher, Coach Harmon, to the Oakland Mills cOMmunity. 

For many years, we have all known the Oakland Mills basketball team to be coached by Coach Browne, an Oakland Mills alumni and HOF member here at this school. But now a new coach has taken the reins, and it is safe to say that he is nothing short of qualified. Coach Harmon, the school’s new varsity basketball coach, is no stranger to the game of basketball. He has been playing the sport almost his entire life and has been on the coaching side of the game even before graduating college. He has been coaching since 2006 and says that he is right where he needs to be, and that this is the dream situation for him and his family.

He has coached for many years in different places, even at the collegiate level for a stint in his career, but he is excited about what he can do with Oakland Mills. Harmon has high expectations for his team here, stating “I want to bring a state championship here to Oakland Mills, and I want to be able to compete at the highest level year in and year out.” 

Growing up, the dress shirt, necktie-wearing, mindlessly typing away at a computer route was never in Harmon’s career path. He had wanted to teach for a long time and figured the best route to go was through physical education. He wanted to reach the younger generations, be a positive role model, and leave an impact that lasts long after he leaves. 

During the day, Coach Harmon teaches Strength and Conditioning at OM, as well as Lifetime Fitness. But he is not “Coach” Harmon to all, as some students may know him as Mr. Harmon, their health teacher. That’s right, in addition to coaching and teaching physical education classes, Harmon also teaches health.

Harmon is from Salisbury, and it is here where he grew up, went to high school, and eventually college at Salisbury University. It was there that he played basketball and competed on the track and field team.

When he’s not Coach Harmon or even Mr. Harmon, he is a father to three children. Outside of school, he likes to spend time with his family, play basketball with friends, and is an active member of Native American Lifelines Incorporated (NAL), where he is currently the president of the board of directors. The group is a non-profit organization that is centered around mental health and public services for Indigenous people here in Maryland and all along the East Coast. Harmon is very much in touch with his indigenous roots and hopes to teach members of the community about vital Indigenous history.  

Stop by the gym or come to a basketball game this winter to say hi to the newest member of the Oakland Mills family.