University of Findlay Men's Basketball

Ernst has led the Oilers to an overall record of 106-40 (.726).  He has also led the team to three GLIAC Tournament titles, three GLIAC South Division titles and three NCAA Division II National Tournament appearances. During his tenure at the helm of the Oilers, Ernst has consistently had his team ranked in the top-25 of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) NCAA Division II poll. He has also coached one All-American, three all-region and eighth all-conference players in his time as the head coach at UF. Last year the Oilers finished 20-8 under Ernst's leadership, which included a 13-1 mark in games played within the friendly confines of Croy Gymnasium. His squad qualified for the GLIAC Tournament, but they were defeated by Ferris State (62-61) in the first round. In 2014-15, Ernst guided the Oilers to a 16-11 record. The team captured a GLIAC South Division championship and reached the GLIAC Tournament, where they were defeated by Saginaw Valley State by a score of 69-62 in the first round. Ernst led the Oilers to a 24-6 record during the 2013-14 campaign and a GLIAC South Division title.  The Oilers, who finished the year ranked 21st in the nation, captured a GLIAC Tournament title and earned a trip to the NCAA Division II National Tournament.  The Oilers were upended in the first round however as they fell 88-83 in overtime to Lake Superior State University. Their third straight GLIAC Tournament title marked the first time in league history that a progam had one three in a row. During the 2012-13 season, Ernst led the Oilers to a 22-8 record.  He guided the Oilers to a GLIAC South Division title and also captured a GLIAC Tournament championship.  The Oilers qualified for the NCAA Division II Tournament, but were upended in the first round by eventual national champion, Drury University. In his first year as a head coach during the 2011-12 campaign, Ernst went 24-7.  He guided the Oilers to a GLIAC Tournament title, which was the programs first away from the friendly confines of Croy Gymnasium.  The Oilers then reached the NCAA Division II Tournament, before falling in the second round to Bellarmine University.  He earned his first collegiate victory as a head coach on November 12, 2011, winning 92-62 against Ohio Valley University in Croy Gymnasium.  Ernst was named the Oilers head basketball coach on March 30, 2011, taking over for retired Ron Niekamp.  Ernst had served as Niekamps assistant for 20 years before his promotion. Ernst has been associated with some of the best teams in school history. His tutelage on the defensive side of the ball has allowed the Oilers to become one of the most successful teams in terms of winning percentage at the NCAA Division II level since the year 2000. During the 2008-09 campaign, Ernst, serving as the associate head coach, helped lead the Oilers to the best season in NCAA Division II history. The Oilers finished the season with a perfect 36-0 record en route to a NCAA Division II National Championship. For his efforts during the Oilers magical run to a championship, Ernst was selected as a Rising Star award winner, meaning he was one of five coaches in the NCAA to be named Assistant Coach of the Year. He was the only NCAA Division II coach on the list. Ernst was also a vital cog in helping the Oilers achieve ten GLIAC South Division regular season championships (1998, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011)  as an assistant and five GLIAC Tournament titles (2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010) during his career under head coach Ron Niekamp. The Oilers, with Ernst on the sideline as a head coach and during his time as an assistant, sport a 31-7 overall record in the GLIAC Tournament and a 16-11 record in games during the NCAA Division II Tournament, which includes an Elite 8 berth in 2005, a Sweet 16 appearance in 2008 and a national title in 2009. In addition to his in-season coaching, Ernst founded the UF Cager Club which serves as both a fundraising arm and booster club for the mens basketball program. It has grown each year and currently boasts over 180 members with a dollar amount of over $12,000. Ernst also remains extremely busy in the summer months. He directs the UF Oiler Basketball team camps.  This past year, 190 schools participated in the four sessions (junior varsity and varsity) from three states. The Oilers team camp is considered one of the largest and best camps in Ohio.  The camps also serve as a great recruiting tool for Findlay. In addition to his coaching responsibilities while he was an assistant to Niekamp, Ernst also served as the director of athletic Marketing and promotions at The University of Findlay and has been involved in the Oilers Athletic Hall of Fame during his tenure at UF. Ernst graduated from The University of Findlay in 1992 with a bachelors degree in public relations and marketing. He holds a masters degree in education from Findlay as well. While at Findlay, Ernst was a varsity letter-winner in both basketball and golf.  A native of Minster, Ohio, Ernst was a three-year letterman and two-time team MVP for Minster High School.  He was also a two-time all-Midwest Athletic Conference selection and was named honorable mention all-Ohio during during his career. Ernst resides in Findlay with his wife, Belinda, and their daughter, Allison, and son, Sam.

Shardo is entering his 11th season with the Oilers mens basketball team in 2016-17 and will serve as the associate head coach, a role he has held for the past three years.  During his time with the program, the team has enjoyed great success. While an assistant on staff, the Oilers have recorded a 247-58 record.  He has been a part of seven GLIAC South Division championship teams, six GLIAC Tournament winning squads and has helped coach the Oilers to seven NCAA Division II National Tournament appearances.  He was also serving as an assistant coach on staff when the Oilers went 36-0 during the 2008-09 campaign en route to the NCAA Division II National Championship. Shardos responsibilities as the associate head coach during the season include serving as the offensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator and planning and supervising the individual workout programs.  In a dual role, Shardo also acts as the director of marketing for the UF athletic department in addition to his coaching responsibilities. Prior to his arrival at Findlay, Shardo served as an assistant coach at Earlham College in Richmond, Ind. Along with his on the court coaching instruction, Shardo was also involved with practice planning, recruiting and game preparation at Earlham. Before entering the college scene, Shardo was an assistant coach at his alma mater, Versailles High School, for one year and was the varsity boys head coach for two years at Mississinawa Valley High School. During his collegiate career, Shardo was a four-year starter at Wilmington College. He was voted team captain and MVP twice and is ranked in the top ten in all-time scoring as well as being the all-time leader in three pointers made. He graduated from Wilmington College with his bachelors degree in education and later earned his masters degree in education from Marygrove College. Shardo resides in Findlay with his wife, Rebecca, and children, Samantha, Nathan and Cameron.