Blaine Wilson Appointed Interim Co-Head Coach at OSU
11.18.10
Blaine Wilson, Doug Stibel Named Interim Co-Head Coaches following resignation of Ohio State Gymnastics Coach
Big Ten Network
Miles Avery, Ohio State men’s gymnastics coach, has resigned his position to pursue other opportunities, effective immediately, Heather Lyke, associate athletics director for sport administration, announced Wednesday. Current Assistant Coaches Blaine Wilson will serve as Interim Co-Head Coach along with Doug Stibel for the remainder of the 2010-11 season.
Ohio State welcomed Wilson, a three-time Olympian, who moved into a full-time assistant coaching position for the Buckeyes prior to the 2009-10 season after working with the team as a volunteer assistant coach for a combined seven campaigns, in two different stints, most recently in the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons after being with the team from 2000-05.
As a coach, Wilson has brought a wealth of knowledge and lighthearted demeanor to the gym, helping guide the Buckeyes to their third National Championship in 2001 along with three Top 3 finishes (2002, ‘03 and ‘05). He was on staff when the Buckeyes won Big Ten Conference titles in 2002 and ’05.
The most decorated Buckeye in program history, Wilson recorded giant landmarks on each level of competition. A native of Columbus, Ohio, Wilson helped establish Ohio State as one of the premiere collegiate programs in both the Big Ten and the nation, competing from 1994-97.
While competing for the Buckeyes 
Wilson captured six NCAA individual titles and helped Ohio State to its second of three National Championship titles in 1996, in addition to three Big Ten crowns (1994, ’96 and ’97).
Owner of 11 Big Ten individual titles, including three All-Around Championship crowns, Wilson became the first Buckeye to receive the conference’s Rookie of the Year honor in 1994. The standout went on to garner the Big Ten Gymnast of the Year honor in 1995, ’96 and ’97. Twice in his college career, Wilson was recognized as the OSU Male Athlete of the Year.
Nationally, Wilson secured five-consecutive U.S. National Championship All-Around titles (1996-200) and earned the Silver Medal in the team competition at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and was a member of the U.S. Men’s Gymnastics Olympic team for the 1996 Atlanta Games and 2000 Sydney Games.
“We appreciate everything Coach Avery has done to keep Ohio State as one of the elite men’s gymnastics programs in the nation,” Lyke said. “He has built traditions, sustained success and positively impacted the lives of our student-athletes, developing them into leaders academically, athletically and personally. We are grateful for his service to Buckeye Nation and wish him the best as he moves forward.”
A national search for the permanent head coach, chaired by Lyke, will be conducted following the 2011 season.
