David Couch
Few Johnson Central graduates have experienced the type of success that David Couch has enjoyed. Even in high school, Couch reached great heights both on the basketball court and in the classroom.
As a student, Couch graduated in 1979 with a cumulative GPA of 3.95, and as an athlete he was a record-setting performer for the Johnson Central basketball team. His 50-point performance against Paintsville still stands as the most points ever scored in one game by a JCHS player. He also had a career-best 25 rebounds on three separate occasions.
Couch averaged 28.5 points and 12 rebounds his junior year, and 29.5 points and 13 rebounds per game in his senior season. He was a member of a regional finalist, regional semi-finalist, and four district championship teams. Couch’s accomplishments on the court earned him All-District, All-Region, All-Area, All-State, and Student Athlete All-American honors. He was also selected as a member of the 1996 15th Region Basketball Dream Team.
During his high school career, Couch also lettered in football, golf, and cross-country. Upon graduation he accepted a scholarship to the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he had the opportunity to play for legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski. Couch also played against top-ranked Virginia and Houston against future NBA legends Ralph Sampson, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Clyde Drexler.
Academically, Couch again did well, finding himself on the Dean’s list. He graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. Couch also served as a member of the President’s West Point Honor guard.
He furthered his education, earning a Masters in Computer Science and Information Systems from the University of Southern California. In 1991 Couch received the Army’s Meritorious Service Medal and National Defense Medal for successful leadership in the deployment and use of communication systems during Operation Desert Storm. He also served with the 194th Armored Brigade at Ft Knox.
Since 1992, Couch has served as Kentucky’s Commissioner of Education Technology. Under his guidance, Kentucky became the first state in the nation to have Internet, email, financial management, and student information systems implemented in all schools and district offices. Couch and his wife Tina currently reside in Versailles and have four children: Alyssa, Amanda, Matthew, and Logan. His parents are E.A. Couch (a member of UK’s 1958 National Championship men’s basketball team) and Jane Couch (a retired teacher from Johnson County). His brother, Joey Couch, is a former All-SEC football player at UK.
