News Releases

Owens Express Names New Men’s Basketball Head Coach

Jack Trainer

Owens Community College has named Express assistant coach Jack Trainer to the position of head coach for the men’s basketball program. Coach Trainer succeeds Jim Welling, who retired as the men’s basketball head coach after 20 years.

“We are excited that an individual with Jack’s extensive knowledge and experience within the coaching profession will be leading the Owens men’s basketball program,” said Jim Welling, Owens director of student enrichment and athletics. “Jack is an exceptional leader who will serve as not only an outstanding role model for our student-athletes but serve as an ambassador for the College.”

Trainer has served as an Express assistant men’s basketball coach for six years. During that time, he helped lead the Express to an overall 179-29 record. His 16 years of college coaching experience also includes previously serving as an assistant men’s basketball coach at Youngstown State University for three years and at Eastern Kentucky University for one year. Additionally, Trainer served as an assistant women’s basketball coach and recruiting coordinator for Miami University for one year.

In addition to his college coaching experience, Trainer served as the varsity girl’s head basketball coach at Waverly High School and the varsity boy’s head basketball coach at Peebles High School each for two years.

“I am thrilled with the opportunity to serve as head coach of the Owens Express men’s basketball program and look forward to building upon the already rich academic and athletic tradition,” Trainer said.

The Express finished the 2005-06 campaign with a 26-7 overall record and a 9-5 mark (third place) in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) regular season standings. Owens advanced to the semifinals of the NJCAA Region XII Championships before losing to Cincinnati State Community College. The team was ranked as high as No. 8 in the NJCAA Division II men’s basketball poll.

Trainer currently serves as the dean of students at Rogers High School. The Pemberville resident earned a bachelor’s degree in social science from the University of Rio Grande and a master’s degree in physical education from Ohio University.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers baccalaureate transfer degrees in the Arts and Sciences and over 150 technical program areas in Agriculture, Business, Health Sciences, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Skilled Trades, and Engineering and Transportation Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.