APRIL 28, 2011

DES MOINES, Iowa - Drake men's basketball coach Mark Phelps announced this week that assistant coach Justin Ohl has accepted the boys head coaching position at Waukee High School. 

"I am very excited for Justin as he becomes a head coach for the first time," Phelps commented.  "His loyalty and dedication to the Drake Basketball Program and Drake University is most meritorious.  We will certainly miss him, but it will be nice to know that, by being close in proximity, we all can still remain close to Justin in the special friendships that we have developed."

Ohl recently completed his 14th season at Drake, including seven as an assistant coach.  He was a four-year letter winner for the Bulldogs and also served as a graduate assistant from 2002-2004 before being promoted to assistant coach by Dr. Tom Davis in 2004.

"I would like to thank Drake University and the athletic department for allowing me to be a part of the Drake family for the past 14 years," Ohl stated.  "I am very grateful for having the opportunity to coach under Mark Phelps and believe in what he is doing on and off the floor.  There is no doubt in my mind these Bulldogs have a bright future ahead of them."

In addition to serve as the Warriors head coach, Ohl will teach business education at Waukee.

He inherits a program that has gone to the State tournament two times in the last four years (2008, 2011) and is the defending Central Iowa Metropolitan League (CIML) Iowa Conference champion. The team returns four starters and nine lettermen for the 2011- 2012 season.

"This was an extremely difficult decision, but I want to be the best husband and father I can be to my family," said Ohl.  "Having the opportunity to remain in the Des Moines area and teach and coach at Waukee High School will enable us to stay close to our friends and family while continuing to develop young people."