Gaithersburg High School

Gaithersburg High School is pleased to announce the following athletic coaches who have been hired this spring:   

Ms. Leah Bierly – Girls Volleyball Head Coach. 

  Leah takes over a strong program that has been led for the past 30 years by recently retired coach Michele Staymates.  Leah comes into the position with a strong background in both playing and coaching.  Leah played at United High School in Armagh, PA where she was a 2-time all-conference player at the middle hitter position.  Leah had the opportunity to play at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology Education; she will graduate with a Masters of Science degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Hood College in May of 2019.  Leah began her coaching career at her high school alma mater as the JV head coach and Varsity assistant before moving to Maryland in 2012. She then coached Co-ed Volleyball at B-CC in 2016 and from 2017-2018, and was been the JV head coach and Varsity assistant at Poolesville High School this past season. After being named the head coach, Leah stated “After being at Gaithersburg High School teacher for the past four years as a teacher, I’m excited to serve the Gaithersburg community in another way as the head coach of volleyball.” 

Ms. Christina Neidlinger – Girls Assistant Volleyball Coach and Head JV Coach 

Christina also comes into this position with a strong background in both playing and coaching volleyball. Christina played two years of JV as a middle hitter and libero, as was a captain. Christina also started for two years on Varsity as a setter, and was also named. Additionally, Christina played Club Volleyball three years, two of which with the Maryland Juniors and one year with CCVC.  Christina had the opportunity to play club volleyball at the University of Maryland at College Park, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Cross-Cultural Communication in Agricultural Development, with a Minor in Spanish. Christina began her coaching career by conducting three years of summer volleyball camps for incoming freshmen, 1 season varsity volleyball assistant at Wilde Lake High School (in Howard County).  After being named the assistant coach and head JV coach, Christina stated “I am thrilled to be involved in the program at GHS and I look forward to our first season of many!” 

Mr. Tyler Bierly – Varsity Football Head Coach

After an extensive interview process, Gaithersburg High School would like to announce the hiring of the new head coach for the varsity football team, Mr. Tyler Bierly.  Coach Bierly comes to GHS with a wealth of football knowledge and experience, both as a coach and player.  Tyler is a Poolesville Alum from the class of 2006, where he was an integral member of the Poolesville HS football program for four years.  Tyler had the opportunity to extend his playing career with the nationally-ranked Salisbury University football program, where he received his degree in history. After graduation, Tyler began his coaching career at his high school alma mater, where he spent seven seasons as the linebacker coach, and ultimately, the defensive coordinator/assistant head coach for the Poolesville staff. Throughout his years at Poolesville he helped lead the team in three playoff runs. This past season, Coach Bierly was an integral member of the Richard Montgomery HS coaching staff, where the Rockets posted a 7-3 record, and one of the best defenses in Montgomery County.  A colleague of Coach Bierly's stated "Tyler has all the tools to be an excellent head coach...he will not only teach the players how to excel in the game of football, but also teach them how to excel in the classroom and in life."  A former player added "Coach Bierly is awesome...we have learned so much from him...he holds everyone accountable, regardless if you are a JV or varsity player...he has the best relationships with everyone on the team - including our parents."  When he was offered the position, Coach Bierly stated "I extremely excited to be a part of this historic program that has had such rich tradition under Coach Harvill and Coach Kephart...the program is in a great place to continue the excellence…I can’t wait to get started.”