By Dan Messerschmidt
CCN Sports Director
UPPER SANDUSKY — After almost two decades of coaching, Brent Fahle is taking a break.
The Upper Sandusky girls head basketball announced his resignation last week after seven years at the helm.
Fahle is not disappointed in the results. The Lady Rams finished 17-7, 12-4 in the very competitive Northern 10 Athletic Conference this year and lost in the Division II district semifinal to Norwalk.
“I’ve been coaching for 19 years,” Fahle said. “I don’t know what a summer is without basketball. I thought I’d take this opportunity to take a break.”
The truth is, Fahle was consumed by basketball long before his coaching career began. He was a ball boy for the Gibsonburg varsity when he was in the third grade.
He later played for coach Keith Diebler at Gibsonburg and was on his staff when Diebler coached at Fostoria and Upper Sandusky.
“Some think that coaching basketball is from November to March,” Fahle said. “It’s 12 months a year. My family has been very supportive. If I want to coach, I can coach.”
Fahle made it clear that he is not going anywhere or actively pursuing other jobs.
“I’m not leaving Upper,” Fahle said. “I’m going to stay here. I like it here. My wife teaches here.”
He noted that he has been part of some great successes both as a head coach and as an assistant. Besides his seven years at Upper Sandusky, he was also the girls head coach at Galion for a year. He’s had the privilege to have coached, in his words, “great kids.”
“Maybe I’ll love it and maybe I’ll miss it,” Fahle said of his planned hiatus. “I can always get back in. Jobs come open every day. And I don’t have to be a head coach.”
Those interested in applying for the position should contact Upper Sandusky Athletic Director Brad Ehrman at brad_e@usevs.org.
A second opening for a girls’ head basketball coach in the N10 was created last week when coach Jamie Thompson’s contract was not renewed for next year.
Applicants should contact Ridgedale Athletic Director Greg Rossman at grossman@ridgedaleschools.org.