“Taylor’s just a fantastic place,” Andrews added. “It was a pivotal time in my life that really honed my passion and my vision to be a coach and propelled me into my destiny and my future.”
Andrews, 30, spent two seasons at Middletown, leading the Middies to a 32-17 record that included back-to-back Greater Miami Conference championships and a berth in the 2012 regional championship.
“Josh has done a fantastic job putting Middletown basketball back to where it belongs as a state-caliber basketball program,” Middletown athletic director Gary Lebo said. “From the time Josh took this job, he was honest and up front with us that he would like to move on to the college level at some point in his career. Our players understand that it’s a great opportunity for Josh, and they respect that.”
Before coming to Middletown, Andrews went 80-18 in four seasons at Princeton, where he led the Vikings to three GMC titles and a state runner-up finish in 2009.
“Josh has done a great job at a pair of high-pressure programs and will be a great fit in all ways at Taylor,” TU athletic director Dr. Angie Fincannon told the school’s website. “He is a high-energy coach that demands much from his players, and I believe they will have a good experience playing for him. We have confidence that Josh will be a great fit for Taylor University and for our community.”
A 2001 graduate of Hamilton High, Andrews becomes just the third coach at Taylor since 1947-48.
Andrews said he and Patterson, who collected 734 wins at the NAIA Division II school, remained close even after he transferred to Union (Ky.) College after his freshman year, and he’s honored to be chosen to succeed Patterson.
Andrews also said Middletown, like Taylor, enriched his life more than he could have imagined, and that the town, and especially its people, will stay with him forever.
“Middletown was everything that I thought it would be,” he said. “The people are tremendous. The kids were great. The support is unparalleled. There’s an enthusiasm and a spirit in the town that’s just contagious.
“It will always be an important and special part of me and my family,” he continued. “They embraced my entire family, not just my immediate family. I can’t thank Gary Lebo and (former superintendent) Greg Rasmussen enough for hiring me and really stretching me as a person and a coach, as well as (principal) Carmella Cotter, who is as five-star of a leader as anybody I’ve ever been around.”
Lebo returned the praise.
“Josh is not only a really good basketball coach, but he’s a good person, a good father and a good husband,” Lebo said. “The city of Middletown and the athletic department is losing a heck of a person. But everybody that knows Josh will understand his decision. They have a lot of respect for him. He’s earned that.”
Lebo said the district will post the job opening internally and externally beginning next week.
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