Orange Beach City Schools has appointed Chris Laatsch as its new assistant athletic director.

A “highly respected and accomplished leader in Alabama high school athletics, Coach Laatsch brings over 30 years of coaching and educational experience, along with a proven track record of success, to the Makos athletic program,” a news release states.

“I am extremely honored to be able to serve our school community in this new role,” Laatsch said. “It is an exciting time in our athletic separtment with the addition of our new facilities that rival any in the state. I look forward to doing whatever I can to help grow our student athletes.”

Laatsch has cultivated a career marked by a commitment to student-athlete development, competitive excellence and character-driven leadership. Since arriving at Orange Beach, he has made an immediate impact — leading the boys basketball team to its first-ever Elite Eight appearance in school history during his inaugural season.

Before coming to Orange Beach, Laatsch built playoff-caliber programs at multiple schools across Alabama. In the four seasons prior to joining the Makos, his teams advanced to the Final Four three times and consistently competed deep into postseason play. His leadership has earned him numerous accolades, including Shelby County Coach of the Year (2018, 2022, 2023) and Birmingham Region Coach of the Year (2018).

In December 2024, Laatsch celebrated a major career milestone by earning his 500th career win — tallying 513 victories by the conclusion of the 2024-2025 season. He has served as head coach at several prominent schools, including Spain Park High School, Helena High School, Briarwood Christian School and UMS-Wright Preparatory School. Additionally, he has held key administrative roles, including athletic director at Helena and associate athletic director at Spain Park.

Beyond his school-based leadership, Laatsch has been a visible and influential figure at the state level. From 2018 to 2024, he represented District 5 on the AHSAA Basketball Committee and currently serves as president of the Alabama Association of Basketball Coaches. He will continue in his role as head coach of the Makos boys’ basketball team.

In his new role as assistant athletic director, Laatsch will work alongside Athletic Director Shane Alexander to support the continued development and growth of all athletic programs across the athletics program.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Coach Chris Laatsch, both as a leader and as a person,” Alexander said. “His dedication to student-athletes, his integrity and his wealth of experience make him an outstanding addition to our team.”