Boys basketball: Gleason won’t return as Lehman’s coach

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SIDNEY — Former Lehman Catholic boys basketball coach Tim Gleason says a personality conflict between himself and athletic director Dick Roll is the reason he won’t return next season, while Roll said the school decided to go in another direction.

Lehman announced earlier this week it was seeking a boys basketball head coach for next season. Gleason took over the program in 2015 and guided it to a 23-47 record in three seasons.

“It is clear to anyone close to this situation that this came down to a personality conflict between the athletic director and myself,” Gleason said in a statement on Thursday. “Lehman will be hard pressed to find a coach more loyal to the school, more giving of their time and more caring for the kids.”

Gleason’s replacement will be Lehman’s sixth coach in the last 11 years.

“This alone speaks volumes to the situation,” Gleason said.

Roll, the school’s longtime football coach and athletic director, said on Thursday the school decided to change course.

“We reached a decision and are moving in a different direction,” Roll said.

The Cavaliers were 9-15 last season and won their first tournament game since 2015. They finished 10-13 in 2016-17 and 4-19 in 2015-16.

Gleason, a Lehman alumnus, spent nearly a decade as an assistant before becoming head coach.

“I am very proud of the progress we have made with the boys basketball program at Lehman the last three years,” Gleason said. “Lehman is playing a brand of basketball that Lehman fans can be proud of. Kids are playing fundamentally-sound basketball; making the extra pass, playing excellent defense, playing with energy, hustle and a love for the game.

“The team has gotten better every year, the participation numbers in the program have gone up every year… I’m proud to say the youth program is the best it has ever been.”

Gleason is one of several area boys basketball coaches that won’t return next season.

Botkins coach Brett Meyer, New Bremen coach Adam Dougherty and New Knoxville coach Josh Lisi resigned in late March or April. New Knoxville hired Mike Piatt (who coached at Lehman from 2002-2007) in April while Botkins hired Lima Perry assistant Sean Powell in April.

Botkins girls coach Mike Maurer resigned in late March. The school hired Phil Groves in mid-April to guide the program.

Lehman athletic director Dick Roll, left, congratulates Tim Gleason shortly after Gleason was introduced as the boys basketball program’s coach in May of 2015. Lehman announced earlier this week Gleason would not return next season.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2018/05/web1_SDN051915CoachLehman.jpgLehman athletic director Dick Roll, left, congratulates Tim Gleason shortly after Gleason was introduced as the boys basketball program’s coach in May of 2015. Lehman announced earlier this week Gleason would not return next season. Luke Gronneberg | Sidney Daily News
Gleason says ‘personality conflict’ with AD is reason he won’t return

By Bryant Billing

[email protected]

AREA BOYS, GIRLS BASKETBALL COACHING CHANGES

Boys basketball

Botkins: Bret Meyer resigned; succeeded by Sean Powell.

Lehman Catholic: Tim Gleason non-renewed.

New Bremen: Adam Dougherty resigned.

New Knoxville: Josh Lisi resigned; succeeded by Mike Piatt.

Girls basketball

Botkins: Mike Maurer resigned; succeeded by Phil Groves.

Reach Bryant Billing at 937-538-4818, or follow @SidneyOHSports on Twitter and @BryantBillingSDN on Facebook.

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