Blake Kibler resigns as Whiteoak boys basketball varsity head coach after 2 seasons
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha & Rory Ryan-
Whiteoak Wildcats boys varsity basketball coach Blake Kibler has announced his resignation from Bright Local Schools, with the intent to become a teacher with the Hillsboro City Schools, Bright Local Superintendent Ted Downing said Monday, July 1.
Kibler finishes with a record of 25-24 at Whiteoak with a 13-11 record his first season and 12-13 overall mark this past season, as they won a sectional championship and played in the district semifinals.
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Under Kibler, the Wildcats achieved their goal of qualifying for the district round of the postseason tournament in Division IV, reaching the Ohio University Convocation Center after an eight-year absence.
“It saddens me to say my time as a basketball coach has ran out,” Kibler told The Highland County Press. “We want to thank every single person who believed in us and appreciated all the hard work that made this possible. Our goal was to make Whiteoak basketball great again, and we have accomplished that.
“But my time as a coach has run out. This part of my life I need to lay to rest. I always promised myself once it got too hard for me and my family, I would be done. The kids we have encountered running the program have truly made me a better person.”
Kibler went on to give thanks to those at Whiteoak and Bright Local Schools.
“There are so many good people at Bright Local Schools. We want to thank Ted Downing and the Board of Education for allowing me to live my dream and take a program from bottom to the top in a lot of ways,” Kibler said. “I want to thank my family for allowing me to do this, especially my wife. This is only the beginning for Whiteoak basketball, and the program is left in good hands. I’m just lucky enough to have been a part of it.”
Whiteoak qualified for districts with an overtime win in the sectional finals over the Green Bobcats by a 59-56 score, as it was their 14th sectional championship in program history.
When Kibler was hired, the Wildcats’ program was in limbo as they hadn’t had a winning season since the 2012-13 season, when they finished 12-11 overall.
According to Downing, the district received Kibler's resignation on Friday, June 28.
"It was his choice," Downing told The Highland County Press. "It was a shock to us. We hate to lose him. He sent a letter on Friday and said he's returning to Hillsboro."
Downing said the Bright Local School District Board of Education will have to accept the resignation. The district will be posting the position for potential candidates this summer, Downing said.
This past season, Whiteoak was 4-9 in the Southern Hills Athletic Conference, and the previous season they were 5-8 in the conference, improvements over previous seasons in conference play.
Two players were selected Division IV All-Ohio with Kibler as head coach the past two seasons in Hunter Ruckel (2018-19) and Trever Yeager (2017-18).
Kibler finishes with a record of 25-24 at Whiteoak with a 13-11 record his first season and 12-13 overall mark this past season, as they won a sectional championship and played in the district semifinals.
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Under Kibler, the Wildcats achieved their goal of qualifying for the district round of the postseason tournament in Division IV, reaching the Ohio University Convocation Center after an eight-year absence.
“It saddens me to say my time as a basketball coach has ran out,” Kibler told The Highland County Press. “We want to thank every single person who believed in us and appreciated all the hard work that made this possible. Our goal was to make Whiteoak basketball great again, and we have accomplished that.
“But my time as a coach has run out. This part of my life I need to lay to rest. I always promised myself once it got too hard for me and my family, I would be done. The kids we have encountered running the program have truly made me a better person.”
Kibler went on to give thanks to those at Whiteoak and Bright Local Schools.
“There are so many good people at Bright Local Schools. We want to thank Ted Downing and the Board of Education for allowing me to live my dream and take a program from bottom to the top in a lot of ways,” Kibler said. “I want to thank my family for allowing me to do this, especially my wife. This is only the beginning for Whiteoak basketball, and the program is left in good hands. I’m just lucky enough to have been a part of it.”
Whiteoak qualified for districts with an overtime win in the sectional finals over the Green Bobcats by a 59-56 score, as it was their 14th sectional championship in program history.
When Kibler was hired, the Wildcats’ program was in limbo as they hadn’t had a winning season since the 2012-13 season, when they finished 12-11 overall.
According to Downing, the district received Kibler's resignation on Friday, June 28.
"It was his choice," Downing told The Highland County Press. "It was a shock to us. We hate to lose him. He sent a letter on Friday and said he's returning to Hillsboro."
Downing said the Bright Local School District Board of Education will have to accept the resignation. The district will be posting the position for potential candidates this summer, Downing said.
This past season, Whiteoak was 4-9 in the Southern Hills Athletic Conference, and the previous season they were 5-8 in the conference, improvements over previous seasons in conference play.
Two players were selected Division IV All-Ohio with Kibler as head coach the past two seasons in Hunter Ruckel (2018-19) and Trever Yeager (2017-18).