Ron Niekamp is entering his 25th season as the head coach of the men’s basketball team at The University of Findlay during the 2009-10 season.

During Niekamp’s tenure, he has compiled an overall record of 550-174 and a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference record of 164-49, which includes a GLIAC South Division regular season championship in 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009. His Oilers have also captured four GLIAC Tournament championships in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2009.

In 2008-09, Niekamp guided the Oilers to the best season in the history of NCAA Division II men’s basketball. During the year, Niekamp led his team to a perfect 36-0 record and his first NCAA Division II National Championship.

For his efforts, Niekamp was tabbed the NABC National Coach of the Year as well as receiving the same honor from the Division II Bulletin and Basketball Times publications. He also was rewarded as the top coach in the Midwest Region and was voted the top coach in Ohio according to the Columbus Dispatch for the second time in his career.

Niekamp has now guided the Oilers to 24 straight winning seasons which includes 18, 20-win campaigns. His teams are an unbelievable 318-46 (.874) at home and have averaged 23 wins per season during his career. He has an 18-4 record in the GLIAC Tournament and a 15-7 record in the NCAA Division II Tournament.

The 2008-09 season will be one everyone remembers as the Oilers went wire-to-wire as the top ranked team in NCAA Division II basketball. Niekamp and the Oilers had to fight hard down the stretch for their national title as three out of their last four games in the NCAA Tournament went into overtime. The ending of the national title game was fitting however as senior guard Tyler Evans connected on a long three pointer as time expired to give Findlay a 56-53 victory.

In 2007-08, the Oilers finished with a 28-5 record and ended the year ranked seventh in the nation. Findlay also reached the Sweet 16 for the second time in school history but were upended by Grand Valley State in the championship game of the Great Lakes Regional Tournament. He also achieved his 500th career win with the Oilers when Findlay defeated Central State 71-64 on January 16, 2008.

During the 2006-07 season, Niekamp led his Oilers to a 29-2 record en route to capturing a GLIAC South Division title and a GLIAC Tournament championship. The Oilers fell in the second round of the national tournament, a loss that snapped their remarkable 59 game home winning streak.

For his efforts in 2007, Niekamp was named the GLIAC Coach of the Year as well as the NABC Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year.

In 2005-06, Niekamp guided the Oilers to a 25-5 overall record and a GLIAC South Division title. Perfect at home, Niekamp was named the GLIAC Coach of the Year for his efforts.

Niekamp guided the Oilers to a 30-4 record and a GLIAC South Division championship during the 2004-05 campaign. He also won the GLIAC Tournament and captured his first NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional championship which allowed the Oilers to reach the Elite Eight for the first time in school history. The Oilers fell however in the first round of the tournament 75-66 to Lynn University.

Niekamp’s efforts netted him GLIAC Coach of the Year honors as well as being named the NABC Great Lakes Regional Coach of the Year and the Columbus Dispatch’s Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year for the state of Ohio. Previous winners of the Dispatch Coach of the Year include Bob Huggins (Cincinnati), Thad Matta (Xavier, Ohio State) and Jim O’Brien (Ohio State).

During the 2004-05 season, Niekamp also captured his 431st career win which enabled him to pass Dr. James Houdeshell as The University of Findlay’s all-time leader in career wins. Niekamp achieved the milestone on March 13, 2005 in a semi final game against Wayne State in the Great Lakes Regional. Houdeshell had accumulated 430 wins in 30 years of coaching at Findlay.

The 2003-04 season was another milestone year for Niekamp and the Oilers. During the season, Niekamp picked up his 400th win at the helm of the Oilers basketball program with a victory over Northwood in the semi finals of the GLIAC Tournament. He also won his first ever GLIAC Tournament championship as Findlay finished the season with a 25-7 record.

Picked to finish last in the GLIAC South Division during the 2002-03 season, Niekamp led the Oilers to a 13-4 conference record and a first place finish in the South Division before falling 68-66 to Michigan Tech in the championship game of the GLIAC Tournament. For his efforts, Niekamp earned his first GLIAC Coach of the Year award. Finishing the season 23-8, the Oilers also earned the right to make a trip to the NCAA Regional Tournament where they were upended by Kentucky Wesleyan 83-66 in the semi-finals.

In the 2001-02 season, Niekamp guided his team to a 23-7 record with a 12-5 mark in the GLIAC. The Oilers success earned them a trip to the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional tournament where they were defeated by eventual national champion Kentucky Wesleyan 94-89 in the semi-finals.

During the 2000-01 season and the 1999-2000 seasons, Niekamp’s teams were getting used to the competition at the NCAA Division II level. He finished 19-8 (2000-01) and 15-11 (1999-00) during those years without making the GLIAC Tournament.

Niekamp’s teams finished 21-9 (1998-99) and 20-9 (1997-98) in his first two seasons in the GLIAC. During the ‘97-’98 year, Niekamp picked up his first GLIAC South Division title in his first season facing GLIAC competition. He led his team to an 11-6 conference mark that season and a 12-7 mark during the ‘98-’99 season.

The Oilers dominated the mid 90’s, finishing 27-5 in 1996-97, 24-9 in 1995-96, 20-9 in 1994-95, and 17-12 in 1993-94. During the 95-96 season, Niekamp guided the Oilers out of the first round of the NAIA National Tournament for the first time, defeating Harding, Ark. 68-65 before making an exit in the second round. The ‘96-’97 team also made the second round of the NAIA national tournament before falling 76-70 to McKendree, Ill.

In 1992-93, the Oilers qualified for the NAIA National Tournament but had their troubles in the opening round, losing 87-73 to Belmont, Tennessee. Findlay finished the season with a 26-6 record.

During the 1991-92 season, Niekamp finished 23-8 and advanced to the NAIA District 22 semi-finals where the Oilers fell 99-92 to Urbana University. The Oilers stellar season earned Niekamp another trip to the NAIA National Tournament where they were narrowly defeated by David Lipscomb, Tenn., 67-66 in the first round.

Niekamp struggled some in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s compared to his usual success, finishing 17-10 in 1989-90 and 14-13 in 1990-91. His 14-13 record is the lowest win total and the closest he has ever come to a losing season in his coaching career.

The Oilers gained another 20-win season during the 1988-89 campaign when they finished 23-6. The previous season, 1987-88, Niekamp guided the Oilers to a 15-11 record.

Niekamp’s first two years were extremely successful. In his first season, the Oilers finished 25-6 while capturing the NAIA District 22 championship during the 1985-86 year. The Oilers also received an invite to the NAIA National Tournament where they were eliminated by Central Washington 86-82 in the opening round.

His second season, 1986-87, Niekamp bettered his first year coaching mark with a 25-4 overall record en route to a second straight NAIA District 22 championship.

During the NAIA years, Niekamp won two District 22 championships, two MOC titles and two NAIA Division I Great Lakes Sectional titles. His teams made an appearance in the NAIA National Tournament on six different occasions. He also coached eight NAIA All-Americans, seven Great Lakes Regional selections and three Mid-Ohio selections during that time frame.

The successful coaching road for Niekamp began at Parkway High School where he was the head basketball coach for two seasons. From there he went to Ottawa Glandorf High School for five seasons. While at Ottawa Glandorf, he was voted the Ohio High School Class AA Coach of the Year during the 1977 season. He guided the Titans to two state tournament appearances during his tenure, coming in the 1977 and 1978 seasons. His final stop before his arrival in Findlay was at Lima Senior High School where he was the head coach for six years. In 1982, he made his third trip to the Ohio State High School Tournament in Columbus, Ohio, this time with the Spartans.

During his high school coaching career, Niekamp posted a 208-86 record. He has the distinction of having coached three teams to the state tournament and won more than 70 percent of the prep games he coached in.

Before hitting the coaching circuit, Niekmap was a stellar basketball player during his prep career, earning All-Ohio honors at St. Henry High School. Niekamp’s exceptional play in high school earned him a scholarship to the University of Miami (OH) where he played basketball for four years. He was a key part of many successful teams at Miami, as they reached both the NCAA and NIT tournaments. Niekamp graduated from Miami with a degree in Education then obtained his master’s from the University of Dayton in Education Administration.

In 2004, Niekamp was rewarded for his efforts as a head coach. He received a great honor for his playing and coaching career at the high school and college level from his alma mater, who inducted him into their “Cradle of Coaches”. Known as the “Cradle of Coaches” because of the outstanding talent groomed at the University, Miami has produced such legends as Paul Brown, Woody Hayes, Jim Tressel and Bo Schembechler. Niekamp was inducted into this elite company before a Miami football game on August 28, 2004. He was also inducted into the Hancock County Hall of Fame on April 19, 2005 for his accomplishments at The University of Findlay.

Coach Niekamp and his wife, Doris, live in Findlay and have four children: Arnie, Julie, Sherry and Allie.

Charlie Ernst is entering his 19th season in 2009-10 at The University of Findlay as an assistant men’s basketball coach and eighth as the top assistant to head coach Ron Niekamp.

Following the 2006-07 season, Ernst was designated as the associate head coach for the Oilers men’s basketball team. Ernst will be responsible for the Oilers defense and continues as the recruiting coordinator. He will also continue to work daily with the guards, serve as the equipment manager and assist Niekamp with day-to-day operations.

Defensively, Ernst has had the Oilers among the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) leaders in each of the past six seasons. In 2004-05, Findlay’s defense set a new school record for steals in a season with 347 while the 2006-07 season saw the Oilers break the school record for scoring defense, allowing a mere 60.2 points per game. The 60.2 points allowed ranked first in the GLIAC and fifth in the nation.

During the last five years, Ernst has led the Oilers defensive unit to remarkable success, allowing on average only 61.9 points per game. His squad has also had great success in the steals department, averaging 10.1 steals per game over the same five year span.

After winning the national championship in 2009, Ernst was selected as one of five assistants and the only non-NCAA Division I coach to receive the "Rising Stars" award as one of the best assistant coaches in the nation.

In addition to his in-season coaching, Ernst founded the UF Cager Club which serves as both a fundraising arm and booster club for the men’s basketball program. It has grown each year and currently boasts over 160 members with a dollar amount of over $11,500.

Ernst also remains extremely busy in the summer months. He directs the UF Oiler Basketball team camps. This past year, 190 schools participated in the four sessions (JV & Varsity) from three states. The Oilers team camp is considered one of the largest in Ohio and serves as a great recruiting tool for Findlay. Ernst also serves as the Director of Athletic Marketing & Promotions and was the chair of Findlay’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

Ernst graduated from The University of Findlay in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and Marketing. He holds a Masters degree in Education from UF as well. While at Findlay, Ernst was a varsity letter-winner in both basketball and golf.

A native of Minster, Ohio, Ernst was a three-year letterman, two-time team MVP, two-time all-Midwest Athletic Conference selection and honorable mention all-Ohio during his career at Minster High School.

Ernst resides in Findlay with his wife, Belinda, and their daughter, Allison, and son, Sam.

Dan Shardo is entering his fourth season with The University of Findlay's men’s basketball team. The 2009-10 campaign will mark the third year of Shardo serving as a coach on the Oilers staff.

Shardo’s responsibilities during the season include working with wings and post players, game film editing, scouting and supervising the conditioning and weight lifting programs.

Prior to his arrival at Findlay, Shardo served as an assistant coach at Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. Along with his on the court coaching instruction, Shardo was also involved with practice planning, recruiting and game preparation at Earlham.

Before entering the college scene, Shardo was an assistant coach at his alma mater, Versailles High School, for one year and was the varsity boy’s head coach for two years at Mississinawa Valley High School.

During his collegiate career, Shardo was a four-year starter at Wilmington College. He was voted team captain and MVP twice and is ranked in the top ten in all-time scoring as well as being the all-time leader in three pointers made. He graduated from Wilmington College with his Bachelor’s degree in Education and later earned his Master’s degree in Education from Marygrove College.

He is currently working on completing his second Master’s degree in Human Resources Development with an emphasis on leadership.

Dave Krauss is entering his second season with the Oilers in 2009-10 after a very successful high school coaching career which spanned 27 years.

Krauss totaled a 365-227 record in the prep ranks and won an Ohio state championship in 1997 at Patrick Henry High School. He also led Patrick Henry to a runner-up finish during the 1992 campaign.

As a high school coach, Krauss won six league championships, 17 sectional titles, four district championships and two regional crowns. He was inducted into the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2008 and also served as the president of the group in 1997 and again in 1998.

A graduate of Kent State University where he played baseball for four years, Krauss later earned his master’s degree in education at the University of Toledo.

Krauss lives in Deshler, Ohio with his wife, Jenny. They are the parents of three sons; Kyle, Eric and Marc.

Tyler Niekamp will be entering his second year on the Oilers coaching staff during the 2009-10 campaign.

Niekamp, who played four years for the Oilers basketball team, helped Findlay earn a trip to the Elite Eight in 2005 as well as a Sweet 16 appearance during 2008. He was also a part of two GLIAC Tournament championship squads.

During his career, Niekamp played in 112 games and averaged 2.9 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. He also hit 43.8 percent (56-of-128) of his attempts from the three point line and tallied 63 assists and 35 steals during his tenure with the program.