“I have not been sleeping much. I don’t ever want to experience that kind of season here ever again. We have to fix this.”

This was March 5, 2025. Jon VanderWal and I were having dinner together in Toledo before heading over to the University of Toledo to watch a couple of potential Pioneer recruits later that evening. The Pioneers had just completed an unusually mediocre 11-14 season, but you’d have thought they’d not won an entire contest during the campaign by the mood. Little did I know it would be the last time we’d speak in person while he was the head men’s basketball coach at Marietta College.

Earlier this week VanderWal accepted an offer to become the 12th men’s basketball coach at Trine University in Angola, Ind. The Thunder are Division III members of the MIAA (Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association) and won the 2024 national championship in men’s basketball. This ends an 18-year tenure with the Pioneers where VanderWal achieved a 341-150 (.695) record.

VanderWal’s legacy at Marietta is secured in stone. In addition to the nearly .700 winning percentage, his Pioneers won eight OAC championships, five OAC Tournament Championship, made nine NCAA Tournament appearances including two Sweet 16s, two Elite 8s, and a trip to the Final Four in 2022. There has certainly never been a brighter era for men’s basketball at Marietta.

But if you had to ask my view of VanderWal’s greatest impact while commanding the sidelines at the Banjo, it was the bond built between campus and community over the last nearly two decades. VanderWal’s “heart on his sleeve” approach to coaching quickly endeared himself to the community (and incoming recruits) who were all too happy to be along for the ride that commenced in the fall of 2007.

Being a product of Southeastern Ohio, I grew up around Marietta College basketball from the time I began to understand what the game was all about. There were decades of lean years and thin attendance at Ban Johnson before VanderWal arrived. The thrilling breakout 2010-2011 season brought a fervor to town unlike anyone had ever seen. Lines for tickets backed up for city blocks, capacity crowds that would make any fire chief cringe, and a costume clad crew of students who arrived as soon as doors opened to harass the visitors. Pioneer basketball seeped into the conversation in every coffee shop, diner, and other place of business around town. Storefronts throughout downtown featured a “Pio Nation” sign in their window and a generation of young kids were inspired to be their best as they lined the baseline for a chance at a high five as the Pioneers entered the court. Despite being a town with just over 10,000 people and a gymnasium near the bottom of the OAC in capacity, the Pioneers finished in the Top 10 nationally in attendance many of the last 18 years. Marietta has never quite seen anything quite like it.

That enthusiasm and noise reached a crescendo in March 2022. After being denied twice before in the Elite 8, the Pioneers defeated Christopher Newport 81-79 on their home floor to clinch the program’s first Final Four appearance. VanderWal’s post-game comments reflecting on those early years still ring true today:

“Obviously, before the game you come out and you see all the people and the environment, and you think back to 14 years ago when there were five people in the stands,” VanderWal said. “I just take solace in looking around and thinking no matter what happens, this is really special. We’ve built something special here and we take a lot of pride in it.”

VanderWal will undoubtedly move to Indiana and continue his success with the Thunder and Marietta will go about the process of seeking out a successor. VanderWal leaves behind a program now with national name recognition that should appeal to coaches across the country. With the Ohio Athletic Conference as competitive as ever in basketball, a misstep in this hiring process could set the program back a decade. The administration has stated that they remain deeply committed to the continued success of the athletic programs on campus. I hope those words are backed with actions.

VanderWal was asked if he had any final words for the Marietta community after his incredible 18 year run:

“It’s been an extremely difficult decision to leave Marietta. I love this community very much and I have truly cherished the past 18 years. I want to thank my family, all the players who poured their heart and soul into this program, my amazing assistant coaches, everyone on campus, all the alumni, my friends, and all those in this community who have supported me along the way,” VanderWal said.

“Marietta is truly a unique place with special people. I will cherish all the amazing memories and relationships. Thank you PioNation for all the support! I will always love you.”

No Jon, thank you.