Wiedie out as UF's women's basketball coach

The University of Findlay women's basketball team will look a little different on the bench next season. That's because long-time head coach, Jim Wiedie, will no longer be leading the program. Vice President of Student Affairs and Director of Athletics, Brandi Laurita, announced Wednesday morning that UF and Wiedie mutually agreed to part ways. "While these decisions are never easy, after much conversation, Jim and I have decided that it is time for a change at the helm of our women's basketball program," Laurita said in a press release. Wiedie, who has been the head coach for eight seasons, was named to the position before the 2013-2014 season began, taking over the program after Kate Cummings resigned. Wiedie began his career at Findlay as the associate head coach from 2011-13. While an assistant, Wiedie was instrumental in leading the Oilers to their best season in program history at the D-II level during the 2012-13 campaign. The Oilers ended the year ranked No. 20 in the country with a 24-6 record. During his tenure as head coach at Findlay, Wiedie has amassed an overall record of 142-107 (.570). He has coached six first-team all-conference players and eight second-team all-conference athletes. Two of his players have earned all-region honors and four have been voted to the all-defensive team. The Oilers had one of their most successful seasons in school history in 2017-18 under Wiedie, finishing with a record of 22-8, achieving a national ranking (No. 25) and earning a berth in the NCAA Div. II Tournament for just the third time in school history. The Oilers fell to Drury, 76-72, in the opening round of the tournament. It was the 12th 20-win season in school history and just the third since joining the NCAA. This season, the Oilers started 5-11. But UF went on to win nine of its last 13 games to finish the regular season at 14-14 and the no.4-seed in the G-MAC tournament. The Oilers won their first game against Cedarville, before losing to national-ranked Ashland Friday. Before coming to Findlay, Wiedie was the head coach at Indiana State University from 2000-2010, leaving as the program's all-time leader in wins (166). Wiedie led the Sycamores to Missouri Valley Conference regular-season championships in 2003 and 2006 and was named the MVC Coach of the Year in both seasons. He also earned the WBCA Region VI Coach of the Year award in 2006. Wiedie worked as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Walsh University from 1991-1992 and held the same position at Northern Kentucky University from 1992-1997. He then took on an assistant coach role at Indiana State before moving into the head position. A national search for the next leader of the program will begin immediately. "I want to thank Coach Wiedie for the time and effort he has put in here at Findlay and wish him the best of luck as he heads into the next chapter of his career," Laurita said.