Heidelberg hires Mike Summey as head men's basketball coach

With an impressive resume that includes time at all three NCAA divisions, Mike Summey has been named the next head coach of the Heidelberg University Men's Basketball program. Summey reports to Tiffin after a stint as the general manager of the men's basketball program at the University of Utah.Summey becomes the 21st head coach in program history, and just the fifth since 1977."I am filled with immense gratitude and excitement to accept the position of head basketball coach at Heidelberg University," said Summey, a 1997 graduate of North Carolina State University. "I extend my sincere appreciation to President Huntington and Greg Cooper for the trust and confidence they have bestowed upon me to lead this esteemed basketball program."After beginning his career as a graduate manager at his alma mater, Summey has spent time at a myriad of schools. Notably, he served as the head coach of Division III Bethany College (WV) in 2008-09, where he led the Bison to a 17-win season. From 2009-2013, Summey was the Director of Basketball Operations at Division I university of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla., working under head coaches Frank Haith and Jim Larrañaga. He returned to Division I St. Francis (PA) for his second stint with the Red Flash, working there from 2013-15. Summey is no stranger to the Buckeye State, having spent five seasons at Bowling Green State University working for then-head coach Michael Huger. His final season with the Falcons was 2019-20 -- a season in which BGSU was 21-10 and seemed poised for a deep postseason run until the COVID-19 pandemic brought a premature end to the campaign."We cast a wide net for this search, hoping to find a candidate with the experience and skill set necessary to propel the program forward," said Heidelberg Athletic Director Greg Cooper. "Mike is an incredibly charismatic person with contacts across the nation and in our own backyard. Mike checked all the boxes of what we needed for our next head coach. Someone with his pedigree in collegiate basketball is a rare find, and I am excited to welcome him to Heidelberg and Tiffin."The Student Princes are coming off of a 17-10 season, finishing third in the Ohio Athletic Conference for the fourth consecutive season."Since receiving the call from Greg, I have been diligently working to connect with members of the Heidelberg basketball family. Several consistent themes have emerged. First, there is a profound love and pride for Heidelberg University expressed by each individual," said Summey. "Secondly, many have shared a sense of unfinished business. I want to assure those who currently wear or have worn the Heidelberg jersey, as well as those who love and support Heidelberg basketball, that their sentiments are received and appreciated. Our players and staff will diligently work each day to build a program that you will look upon with great pride. The work is not yet complete; we are merely beginning…and I can't wait to make you proud."