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Ryan Fretz leaves Desert Oasis basketball job for ‘perfect situation’

Ryan Fretz loved everything about Desert Oasis and wasn’t ready to leave unless a “perfect situation” presented itself.

That situation appeared last week, when the Diamondbacks’ boys basketball coach and his wife were both offered teaching jobs close to their hometowns.

On July 25, Fretz made it official that he would be leaving Desert Oasis for a job at Clyde High School in Northwest Ohio, where he will be teaching and coaching basketball.

“Been out (in Las Vegas) for nine years and just wanted to go back home,” said Fretz, 36. “The school is 15 minutes away from where I grew up and 45 minutes from where my wife grew up.

“Toughest decision I’ve ever had to make in coaching. But when you preach god, family and basketball, family is first.”

Fretz compiled a 48-37 record in three seasons with the Diamondbacks, and made the playoffs in two of his three seasons.

Desert Oasis had only made the playoffs once since the school opened in 2008 and went a combined 14-36 in the two seasons before Fretz and his staff arrived.

“There’s no way possible we could’ve done this without the staff,” Fretz said. “A lot of work went into it. They did what they needed to do and put the team first. And the boys followed along with that. I can’t thank the staff enough for the time they put in, even if they didn’t like me sometimes.”

Desert Oasis made the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, and hosted a home playoff game for the first time in school history last season. The Diamondbacks defeated Legacy in the Division I Sunset Region quarterfinals before losing to Bishop Gorman in the semifinals.

“None of this would be possible without the players,” Fretz said. “I feel bad leaving some of the seniors there now. I had a long talk with them and they understood. Some guys have been there since day one. The hard work that all the players put in for three years have made the program possible.”

Joseph Bedowitz, who was an assistant last season, was named the new head coach for the Diamondbacks, who lost nine seniors to graduation.

“I love Desert Oasis and I’ll love it until the day I die — great faculty, great staff, the students are phenomenal,” Fretz said. “I’m really going to miss it. I really have to thank everyone who has been involved.”

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