MORGANTOWN – University High School boys’ basketball head coach Joe Schmidle has accomplished nearly everything a high school hoops coach in the state can in his 12 years as the leader of the program.
He’s won conference and state titles, coached a Bill Evans Award winner who was named state Player of the Year, has multiple players he coached still playing at the highest level collegiately, and helped shape the lives of young men on and off the court.
His latest feat came on Wednesday evening on Baker’s Ridge as the Hawks defeated Wheeling Park 47-40 for their ninth win of the current campaign. It was Schmidle’s 200th victory as the head coach of the UHS program.
While the 200 wins are “humbling” for Schmidle, he is the first to tell you the real reason those wins were possible.
“Out of all those wins, I have not scored one point or pulled down a rebound,” Schmidle said. “Those wins belong to the young men who have sacrificed their time and busted their tails for our program the last 12 years. We have had some incredibly talented players over the years, who have made us look pretty good.”
Schmidle has coached multiple players who earned all-state honors, including 2020 Bill Evans winner Kaden Metheny, who is currently playing for Liberty.
Coach Schmidle was also sure to explain how his time coaching at UHS has helped guide his program at all angles.
“Having the honor of being a head coach at a school like University High is something I have been very blessed to do. We have so much support from our parents and community,” he said. “I don’t think people realize how important that is in running a successful program. The daily grind of practice, showing kids how hard work helps them improve on the court and prepares them for life after basketball, is rewarding. I’ve been surrounded by some fantastic assistant coaches, many of whom were head coaches, and they have helped me become better at my job.”
Over the years, Schmidle says he’s learned what it takes to truly be a successful high school basketball coach, and it doesn’t always come from what’s happening visibly on the court.
“ The crazy thing about high school basketball is how you have to be able to change with the times,” he said. “Altering game plans based on your talent as well as your opponent, and building relationships with your players, which is by far the most rewarding part of my job.
You spend so much time with these young men that we become one big family. We celebrate the good, support each other during the bad, and like all families, we even get mad at each other sometimes, but in the end, we all love each other and have each other’s back when it’s time to compete. Watching these guys grow up, become successful with their careers, and being great fathers and husbands is rewarding.”
