HIRAM, Ohio – April 3, 2026 - Hiram College announced the hiring of Jim Wiedie as the 13th women's basketball head coach in program history on Wednesday this week. Wiedie, a native of Akron, OH, will spearhead the Terriers staff after most recently serving as the head women's coach at Nebraska Wesleyan (Division III | Lincoln, NE), which marked the latest chapter of an extensive and impressive coaching career. 

Wiedie will be coaching his 35th season of women's collegiate basketball in 2026-27, with 22 of those seasons spent as a head coach at the Division I, II, and III levels. Wiedie is the winningest coach at Indiana State University (Division I | Terre Haute, IN) and the University of Findlay (Division II | Findlay, OH), with 312 wins throughout his career as a head coach.  

"We are thrilled to have Coach Wiedie lead our women's basketball program moving into 2026-27," said Scott Pohlman, Hiram's Director of Athletics. "His experience and success at all levels of women's collegiate basketball is a great fit for our program, and we look forward to seeing the team thrive both in competition and in the classroom."

During his time at Indiana State (2000-09), Wiedie led the program to a 166-118 overall record, while coaching the team to three WNIT appearances in 2003, 2005 and 2006. He also earned the Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year award in 2003 and 2006, as well as the WBCA Region VI Coach of the Year in 2006, marking a stupendous 10 seasons with the Sycamores.  

For his time at the University of Findlay (2013-22), Wiedie was instrumental in the program's success during his nine seasons with the Oilers. He helped propel Findlay to its best season in school history in the 2012-13 season, when they finished the year ranked 20th in the nation behind a 24-6 record. Wiedie also led the Oilers to an NCAA Regional Appearance.

Over the course of his time as a collegiate head coach, Wiedie led 18 1,000-point scorers, 50 players who have received postseason awards and 11 teams who finished in the top-five in the WBCA Academic Top-25 Honor Roll, including three No. 1 national rankings in 2002-03, 2004-05 and 2008-09.  

"I am incredibly honored and excited to be named the new head women's basketball coach at Hiram College. I want to thank Director of Athletics, Scott Pohlman, for the trust and belief he's placed in me to lead this program," Wiedie said. "This is a special opportunity for me to be closer to home, as well as build a program and create a culture that centers around academic and athletic excellence, trust, and accountability." 

Prior to his head coaching career at Indiana State, Wiedie was an assistant coach and recruiting director at Northern Kentucky University from 1992-1997, and an assistant coach at Walsh University from 1991-1992. 

Wiedie is returning back to Northeast Ohio as a graduate from Kent State University in 1988 with a degree in broadcasting communications. Wiedie also earned his master's degree from Kent State University in 1991 in sports administration.  

Hiram women's basketball will continue offseason training this spring before returning to campus in the fall ahead of a big 2026-27 campaign in the Presidents' Athletic Conference.