Nick Dials

“Learning under coach Dials tutelage was very refreshing to me as I got to learn from a former professional basketball player. He is a very proactive coach, looking to improve every single day. The professionalism he showcased daily was a testament to his playing days and was inspiring to me.”
 
-Robinson Odoch-Opong
Nigerian National Team
Leading Scorer in FIBA World Cup

“Nick coaches just like he played. There is no one tougher. He will maximize the potential of anyone who plays for him. He is great young coach with endless potential.”

-Keith Dambrot
Head Men's Basketball Coach
Duquesne University



The Urbana University Department of Athletics announced Nick Dials has been named head men's basketball coach. Dials officially began his new role on Monday, June 5, becoming the 10th head coach in program history.
 
Dials, who is a native of Williard, Ohio, boasts Division I playing experience at Ohio State and Akron and competed professionally overseas. He has held multiple coaching stints at the Division I and II levels, most recently serving two years on the men's basketball staff at Toledo.
 
Dials helped the Toledo Rockets finish 37-28 over two years including a second-straight 20-win season in 2014-15. He also played an assisting role in the development of four all-league players.
 
Dials landed at Toledo after spending two years as an assistant for NCAA Division II member Rogers State in Claremore, Oklahoma. There, he helped guide the Hillcats to a 37-22 ledger while holding various duties and serving as the primary contact for on- and off-campus recruiting.
 
He spent one season as the assistant director of operations at his alma mater, Akron, in 2011-12, helping the Zips secure a conference regular-season championship and a berth in the NIT.
 
Dials accepted the position of director of operations at Miami (Ohio) in 2010, the same season the RedHawks finished second in the league and reached the Collegiate Basketball Invitational (CBI) postseason tournament.
 
In 2009, Dials entered the collegiate coaching profession as head assistant coach at Atlantic Region foe Alderson-Broaddus in Phillippi, West Virginia. During his time, the Battlers compiled a 24-7 record and earned a seventh seed in regional play of the 2010 NCAA Division II Tournament.
 
Dials began his collegiate playing career at Ohio State, starting nine games during his freshman season. He then transferred to Akron and went on to score 1,087 career points and dish out 326 assists. He served as a team captain his senior season and earned All-MAC recognition.
 
Dials went on to play professionally overseas with Ehingen Steeples in Ehingen, Germany and paced the team in scoring, assists and efficiency rating. During his time in Germany, Dials served as head coach of the Ehingen Steeples youth team.
 
As a prep player, Dials became only the second player in Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) history with 2,000 points and 500 assists. He was a 2003 McDonald's All-American nominee, MVP of the 2003 Ohio/Kentucky All-Star game and 2003 MVP of the Ohio North/South All-Star contest. He was also named OHSAA Division II Player of the Year in 2003.

Dials earned his bachelor’s degree in business organization from Akron in 2008.

Nick and his wife Kathryn have two sons Dominick and Devin (twin), and two daughters Audrey and Emma (twin).