Indian Hill High School has hired Tim "Shep" Shepherd as its new varsity softball program director and head coach, bringing a 22-year coaching veteran back to the high school level for the spring 2027 season.

Athletic director Brian Phelps announced the hire Saturday, Aug. 22 in a letter to the Indian Hill softball community. The appointment still needs Board of Education approval.

Shepherd owns and operates Shep's Indoor Training in Greater Cincinnati, where hundreds of area athletes have worked with him on hitting and pitching over the years. His coaching resume spans recreational leagues, high school programs and competitive travel softball across the Midwest. He has spent more than two decades teaching the game and developing young players both on and off the field.

The hire is not a surprise to local softball families. Many in the Greater Cincinnati softball community already know Shepherd through his training facility, and Phelps said the program looks forward to the experience, energy and passion Shepherd will bring to Indian Hill's student-athletes and their families.

Shepherd had stepped away from high school coaching for several years before accepting the position. The announcement did not detail the circumstances of the previous coaching change. Board minutes from Feb. 10 show Phil Said held the varsity softball head coach role for the 2025-26 school year at a supplemental contract rate of $8,500.

The move fits a broader pattern of offseason coaching turnover for the Braves. Indian Hill also brought in a new field hockey coach ahead of the fall season, as we reported Aug. 25.

The next Board of Education meeting is Sept. 15, when Shepherd's contract would come before the board for formal approval. His first season leading the Braves softball program begins in spring 2027.