Diebler and sons leaving Fostoria

5/7/2004

FOSTORIA - The Dieblers are on the move.

Fostoria basketball coach Keith Diebler and sons, Jacob and Jon, are leaving a season after leading the Redmen to a share of the Northern Ohio League championship - their first league title in 13 years.

The elder Diebler stepped down from his coaching position to accept a similar job at Upper Sandusky, also an NOL member. The move became official on Wednesday.

Fostoria athletic director Tim Murray didn t offer any reason why Diebler left after four seasons.

“That s his decision,” Murray said. “You ll have to ask him about that. I know Upper Sandusky is closer to his home where he grew up in Bucyrus.”

Diebler could not be reached for comment.

Diebler previously coached at Gibsonburg, Bowling Green and Plymouth. His job as coach of the Redmen has benefited from the younger Dieblers work on the court.

Jacob, a 6-2 junior, earned All-Blade honors after averaging 24.5 points, 7.8 assists and 7.4 rebounds last season. He leaves Fostoria as the program s all-time leading scorer after producing more than 1,350 points during his career.

Jon, a 6-5 freshman, stepped right in to average 23.4 points and 6.4 rebounds in his first season in a Fostoria uniform.

The Redmen finished last season 19-4 after losing 84-72 in a district semifinal to eventual Division II state champion Ottawa-Glandorf. It was a game in which Jon poured in 37 and Jacob added 27. Twin brothers Tim and Eric Pollitz combined for 47 points to lead the Titans to victory.

Murray said filling the Fostoria coaching vacancy is his concern.

“We re already putting that process into work,” he said. “We hope to have someone in place before the school year is over.”

- DONALD EMMONS