Document text
RAIN Temp: 46 °F Wind: ESE at 3 mph Friday, December 13, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend November 28, 2002 South girls coach Thielemann resigns By TIM PYLE Mail Tribune Buzz Thielemann’s run as head coach of the South Medford girls soccer program may have been short, but oh was it sweet. Thielemann, 55, resigned Tuesday after three highly successful seasons, citing the increasing time demands of his business, RHT Energy Solutions. Hired in May of 2000 to replace Leslie Lang, Thielemann guided South to shares of three Southern Oregon Conference championships and a 19-2 record in league play. His teams were a combined 33-13-2 overall. "I announced to the team (Tuesday) at our awards ceremony that I’m not gonna be back," Thielemann said. "I have to say it with remorse, but it’s all business-driven." Thielemann said an average of 28 hours per week — sans bus rides and the like — spent on coaching the Panthers during fall seasons became too much as his business continues to blossom and expand. "My business is, thank God, doing real well, and I can’t afford the extra time," said Thielemann, who had to miss South’s league-playoff match against North Medford on Oct. 24 because of a pre-scheduled business trip. "So I had to give up something I love." The Panthers were 13-3-1 this fall, including 6-1 in the SOC to share the crown with North and Klamath Union. South beat both co-champs in a tiebreaking tournament to earn the No. 1 seed for the Class 4A state playoffs. In the postseason, the Panthers suffered a 2-0 overtime defeat at Lincoln in the second round. In 2001, South won the SOC outright at 7-0 and finished 12-3-1 overall. South Salem handed the Panthers a 1-0 road loss in the second round that year. And in Thielemann’s first season, 2000, South went 6-1 for a share of the conference crown and 8-7 overall. Lakeridge beat the Panthers in the first round, 3-1. "I think the record and success speaks well for Buzz," said South Medford boys soccer head coach Dave Potter, who guided the girls program from 1992-’97. "He was able to transition into the program smoothly and kept the program up at the top." Thielemann, who has been coaching soccer a total of 20 years, had been an assistant with the North Medford boys for five years prior to taking charge of the Panther girls. His two sons, Ben and Paul, played at North. "It was a wonderful experience, and I love being affiliated with South," said Thielemann, who graduated from Beaverton High in 1965 and the University of Oregon in 1970. "I’ve never felt such a team effort that radiated beyond my team to the parents and the school. "I’m leaving a strong program. South should be right back on top again." There is currently no timetable for finding Thielemann’s replacement, according to Panthers athletic director Dennis Murphy. "Buzz did a great job for us," Murphy said. "Whoever comes in has a tough act to follow." Reach reporter Tim Pyle at 776-4483 or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search M Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy web master feedback A D V E R T I S E R S