Listen Here
By Pulse Staff
With seven Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Presidents’ Cup on its shelf, the University of Findlay Athletic Department has a knack for getting things right.
From last year to this school year it has lost several coaches and worked to fill in the blanks over the summer. Jim Givens, director of athletics says they have 12 new coaches this year, five football, two women’s basketball, two track and field, one women’s lacrosse, one men’s tennis and one swim coach. They also have two new athletic trainers.
Football welcomed Head Coach Tyler Johns last December but this fall will be his first season with the Oilers. New to his staff is Mike Riddings (DC), Blaize Hosler (OC), Joe Vacik (Position Coach), and Dean Cullison (Position Coach).
Jordan Blackburne takes over as head coach for women’s lacrosse and Jeff Brown takes over as head coach for tennis.
The staff in the athletic department also received some upgraded titles.
David Buck is now the senior associate director of athletics for business and compliance. His previous title was associated director of athletics. Kyle Niermann is associate director of athletics for strategic communication and Meredith Wipper is not assistant director of athletics for engagement and operations. Krista Swanagan’s title goes from associate director of financial aid to director of compliance. Aiden Lao is the most recent hire for the athletic staff and is the new strategic communication assistant.
Givens says they are extremely excited to get the year started.
““Our student athletes and staff are coming off an unprecedented year of success, and we are all ready for that to continue this year,” Given said. “I am so proud of all of the accomplishments of our student athletes and staff both on the field and off. It is a true testament of their work ethic, determination and desire to succeed.”
Winning the President’s cup means Oilers collected the highest tally of points based on regular season winning percentage (standings) or individual meet results (sports with no conference regular season schedule) through the athletic year, according to the findlayoilers.com. “The Oilers secured 196 points in the standings for the 2025-26 season, 8 points higher than Ashland University who finished runner-up and 41.5 points higher than Tiffin University which took third.”
Check out the schedule for the first of the year.
