September 30, 1999

TU head basketball coach resigns

By Chris Homan
Sports Writer

Dan Brook has taken the Tiffin University basketball program to a whole new level over the last two years, but Wednesday afternoon he sent shock waves through administration with his resignation.

Brook will leave the Dragons for a position in the greater Cleveland area, but not with a another basketball program.

"It was very sudden and really came as a surprise to all of us," TU athletic director Ian Day said. "Dan had just done an outstanding job for us and he is first class all the way. We thought we might lose him last spring when he was a finalist for the Youngstown State job, but to lose him know was surprising. We really didn't see it coming.

"Dan brought so much class and excitement to this program," Day said. "The players had so much respect for him and the rest of the administration did as well. I know he told the kids today and I am sure they are stunned."

Brook guided the Dragons to a 10-1 start this past season and they were rated as high as fourteenth in the weekly NAIA rankings. TU the year finished 20-10 after a season ending AMC tournament loss to Mount Vernon. Overall, Brook was 39-22.

"The timing, no, it isn't good and really it was the hardest decision I have ever had to make in my life," Brook said. "But, I have to do what's best for my family and it was doing this. Sometimes the timing isn't good, but you have to take the opportunities that come your way.

"I want to emphasize that this decision has absolutely nothing to do with Tiffin University," he said. "I have nothing but respect for the school and the program. I really mean it when I said it was the hardest decision I had to make. As soon as I found out about my new position, I contacted Ian (Day) and George (Kidd) immediately and that was today (Wednesday). They were very gracious and understanding. It was first class and very professional.

"You really have to credit our kids for what has happened here over the past two years. A lot of people want to give the coach all the credit, but those kids did everything I ever asked them to do. I will really miss them.

"I am more than confident that the kids will be in good hands, maybe even better after I leave. I am sure they are floored by this right now, but they are good kids and they'll be just fine."

There has been no official release on who might succeed Brook on the Dragon's bench, but certainly the top candidate thought to be in position for the job is Brook's top assistant, Steve Fleming.

Fleming played four years at Hiram College and is among the Terriers all-time scoring leaders. Fleming is a Newbury High School graduate and ironically was the player to sink Calvert in the 1989 regional semi-finals at the Canton Fieldhouse.

"It takes more than one person to run the kind of program that Dan has run and Steve Fleming has been his right hand man for as long as I have been here," Day said. "He has done a great job here and has been a big part of our success. I have no official announcement as to who the new coach will be, but I will within the next two days."

It will be tough to put the Dragon players in better hands than Brook's. He was respected by all and certainly, he will be respected by those to come.