Mike Fuline made Mount Union basketball a winner. New challenge awaits

ALLIANCE — The golden age of Mount Union men's basketball will continue with a new man in charge.

Mike Fuline is resigning as the Purple Raiders coach to join Jerrod Calhoun's staff at the University of Cincinnati . The Bearcats hired Calhoun as head coach in March.

"Working with a coach I know and respect was just something I couldn't pass up," Fuline said. "I don't know if there's a right time to leave, but it's time for a new challenge. I've always wanted to continue to learn.

"It's been a while since I've been an assistant coach. I can't wait to just learn and help any way I can."

Mike Fuline's record at Mount Union

Fuline's departure after 15 seasons ends the most successful run by a Mount Union men's basketball head coach in program history. He is the Purple Raiders' all-time winningest coach with 285 victories.

Under Fuline, Mount Union won five Ohio Athletic Conference regular-season championships, three OAC Tournament titles and appeared in the NCAA Division III Tournament five times. His 2022-23 team was the national runner-up.

"You never want to leave a place in bad shape," he said. "We've been really successful because of the players, coaches and administration we've had, especially over the last decade.

"I am most proud of the great families we've had come through here, many of them from Northeast Ohio, and them having the opportunity to watch their son play in a great program and surrounded by very good people."

Mount Union director of athletics Mike Parnell thanked Fuline for laying the foundation for a successful program.

"Mike has elevated our men's basketball program to championship standards with passion and a commitment to our student-athletes," he said in a release. "The winning foundation he's laid sets us up for future success. We thank him for his dedication to Mount Union Athletics, and we wish him and his family all the best at Cincinnati."

Fuline said he met with Purple Raiders players to explain his decision to move on.

"It was cool to meet with them individually and talk with them about it," he said. "You felt the excitement they had for me and our family. That is what makes you feel great. They can see a great opportunity and embrace that. These guys understand it's going to be a little different, but you know what? Different isn't always a bad thing."

Mike Fuline's record as a high school basketball coach at Jackson

Fuline came to Mount Union after a successful high school coaching career. He won 95 games in six seasons at Jackson and led the Polar Bears to their first OHSAA Division I state championship in 2010. He also won a district championship at Rootstown and was named the state's Division III Co-Coach of the Year in 2004.

"We've always preached family," Fuline said. "Since I've been a first-year head coach when I was 26 years old at Rootstown, I've always believed the more people you bring in and treat them well, the family continues."

Calhoun has strong Northeast Ohio ties. He is an East Liverpool native who played at Cleveland State and served as an assistant coach at Walsh. He spent seven seasons as the head coach at Youngstown State before a successful run at Utah State resulted in him landing the job at Cincinnati.

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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Mount Union men's basketball coach Mike Fuline takes job at Cincinnati