Piedmont has announced the hiring of Mark Bollinger as the
school’s new head men’s basketball coach. Bollinger
comes to the program after a four-year stint as an assistant coach
at Ohio Wesleyan.
OWU is fresh off an impressive 20-8 campaign in 2011-12 that saw
the Battling Bishops earn a trip to the Division III NCAA
Tournament. After dropping their season opener, OWU reeled off 11
straight wins marking the school’s best start to a season
since 1933.
In his four seasons on the OWU bench, the team posted a 66-40
record including a 44-20 mark in the North Coast Athletic
Conference.
He replaces Lee Glenn, who won 99 games in nine seasons as head
coach before moving into the assistant athletic director for
athletic communications role.
Prior to his time at OWU, the Marion, Ohio, native served eight
seasons as head boys basketball coach at River Valley High School
in his hometown. He guided River Valley to the school's first Sweet
16 appearance in 32 seasons, along with a district title, a
district runner-up finish, four sectional crowns, and 2 league
titles. Bollinger was named Ohio Coach of the Year by the
Associated Press, and was selected Central District and District 11
Coach of the Year. He also coached in a pair of Ohio North-South
all-star games.
Bollinger is a 1993 graduate of Toledo. He continued his education
by earning a master's degree in education from The Ohio State
University in 1997. He and his wife Melissa will be relocating to
the northeast Georgia mountains with their three sons - Bryce (12),
Carson (10) and Weston (3 months).
“We are very pleased to have Mark Bollinger accept our
position as head men’s basketball coach at Piedmont College.
Mark brings a solid coaching background and winning tradition,
coupled with a great understanding of the Division III philosophy.
We are excited to have Mark and his family join our team at
Piedmont” stated Piedmont athletic director John Dzik.
"I am thrilled for the opportunity to lead the Piedmont basketball
program. My family and I are grateful to Mr. Dzik and the search
committee for trusting in me to be the next coach of the Lions. My
coaching staff is going to work relentlessly to make sure our young
men win on the court, in the classroom, and in the community,"
Bollinger said.
Bollinger becomes the school’s seventh head coach since the
sport was re-instated in 1940.