(3-25-22) Tinora girls basketball coach Kyle Tietje, in a letter on social media, told his players about being released from his position.

Tinora went 14-9, 5-2 and a 2nd place finish in the GMC, the first winning season since 2016 as well as winning the Defiance Physical Therapy Championship.

Below is the letter to his players…

From Coach Tietje:
“As my fingers hit the keyboard I am overwhelmed with emotion. This isn’t easy to announce, but I will not be returning as the Tinora Girls Basketball coach. This is NOT my decision. I am not giving up on this program. I am not giving up on these kids. I have been told that I am not the person for the job moving forward.

I have spent thousands of hours away from my wife and kids, put 10s of thousands of miles on my car, coached through a pandemic, and have made many more sacrifices and overcame many more obstacles. There are too many to list. I have given everything I’ve had to get this program on the doorstep of success to be told, “you’re done”.

The program is set up for success. Next year’s squad has the ability to have an incredible season. The kids are fantastic. They have worked so hard. They have made the last five years worth it. I will miss getting to spend so much time with them and to see all of their hard work and the effort they’ve put in come to fruition. I wish the girls nothing but the best of luck moving forward. Girls, I will always be there if you ever need anything. I will always be your Coach.

My assistant coaches have been incredible over the past five years. Kent Tietje, Michael Walker, and Brooklyn Barcewicz. I have enjoyed our time working together. You are all great coaches and even better people. Thank you for everything.

As for my coaching future, I will coach again when the time and situation both make sense. I have too much to offer to kids and too much of a love for the game of basketball. I am sure I will find myself coaching in some capacity soon.

I have two little girls and an awesome wife at home that I will get to spend more time with. For that, I am grateful. I pray that one day my little girls will be able to play for a coach who is as caring, dedicated, and invested as what I have been the past five years as the leader of the Tinora Girls Basketball Program.”

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