BGSU women’s basketball’s 74-46 win over Le Moyne was special for Bowling Green head coach Fred Chmiel, not just because it was the team’s sixth straight win, but because he got to coach against an old friend.
Le Moyne Linda M. LeMura Endowed Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Nick DiPillo, was a former assistant at BGSU during the 2023-2024 season, which was Chmiel’s inaugural year as head coach of the Falcons.
“He [wasn’t] only an assistant, but he’s a really good friend,” said Chmiel. “We talk once a week, we compare struggles and challenges and even victories, so we stay in touch, we stay in contact.”
DiPillo is entering his second season at the helm of the Dolphins. During his one year on Chmiel’s staff, the Falcons went 16-15 and 10-8 in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play, eventually playing in the postseason, competing in the WNIT.
Chmiel and DiPillo met back in the mid-2000s during their time in the WNBA. Chmiel was with the Charlotte Sting, and DiPillo was with the New York Liberty, both as assistant coaches.
“Back when we were a lot younger and a lot less weight on our frames,” Chmiel said with a laugh and a smile. “It’s good to have him here.”
Despite the win, Chmiel emphasized that the relationship between the two made the result a bit bittersweet.
“We talked about it prior to the game. It stinks that somebody’s gotta lose that game. I’m glad we are on the right side of it, but there is no joy in being his team.”
Chmiel and the Falcons, now 7-4 on the season, will take on Kent State (5-6) in the team’s opening MAC contest at the Stroh Center on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 2:00 p.m.
