By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The next leader of the University of Mount Union men’s basketball team is a Mogadore Wildcat.

Josh Twiddy was announced as the new head coach of the Purple Raiders on Wednesday in an announcement made by the university.

Twiddy replaces Mike Fuline, who spent the previous 15 years at Mount Union and became the all-time winningest coach with 285 victories and recently resigned to accept a role as an assistant coach at the University of Cincinnati.

“I’m excited for this opportunity, not only for myself, but for the players and staff that are staying at Mount Union,” Twiddy said. “I’m excited for our past players and coaches that helped build this program. My promotion is a testament to those guys as well.”

Twiddy is a 2006 graduate of Mogadore High School and got his coaching career started as an 8th Grade coach at Rootstown Middle School.

“Growing up in Mogadore, I was always playing a sport,” Twiddy said. “I probably never missed a high-school game. I think my dad took my brothers and I to every game from the time I could walk until I was in high school. I think I was a ballboy from the 4th Grade on up for football and basketball.

“I grew up on the sidelines, watching great players and spending time around great coaches and winning programs. Then I got to compete myself. Those experiences, those memories last a lifetime. I still remind Mike (Fuline) that his first loss as a head coach was to us in the 2003-04 basketball season,” Twiddy joked.

Twiddy has been an assistant coach at Mount Union for the last 12 years straight and 13 years overall.

“First, I would like to thank Director of Athletics Mike Parnell, President Greg King and Vice President Pat Heddleston for their continued support and for the opportunity to continue the momentum and success here at the University of Mount Union,” Twiddy said in a press release. “I am sincerely grateful for the privilege of leading this program and excited for our returning players, coaches and staff. This opportunity is a credit to our current players and staff and to the many former players and assistant coaches who helped build this program.

“I also want to thank Mike (Fuline) and the entire Fuline family for their unwavering support and for all they have done for my family and for this program,” Twiddy added. “Mike brought me onto his staff in 2012, and I will always be grateful for that opportunity. I am excited for him and look forward to seeing him succeed at Cincinnati.”

Twiddy has helped establish a recruitment pipeline that has produced historic success for the program. During Twiddy’s time coaching on staff, the Purple Raiders have recorded a 184–54 (.773) overall record, including a runner-up finish at the 2022-23 NCAA National Championship. Additionally, Mount Union captured four Ohio Athletic Conference regular-season championships and two OAC Tournament titles.

“This program was built on great players, great families, and great people,” Twiddy said. “Our goal has always been to get the best players from Northeast Ohio and go compete for a National Championship. Mount Union is a special place. Everyone wants to win.”

“Josh has been an integral part of the Mount Union men’s basketball program as an assistant and has demonstrated his dedication to the development of our student-athletes,” Parnell said. “His understanding of the Mount Union standard and tradition makes him the right choice to lead our team forward.”

Prior to being an assistant at Mount Union, Twiddy spent one season as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Akron. Additionally, Twiddy has experience in the professional ranks, serving on the basketball operations staff with the NBA Development League, assisting with player development and preparing for the NBA Draft.

Twiddy and his wife Samantha have three children: Lincoln, Maddie and Logan.