PERRYSBURG – A military man, Mike Timbrook instilled a sense of dedication and passion into Perrysburg’s
boys soccer program for 23 years.
After serving as the program’s head varsity coach for the last 12 seasons, Timbrook informed his players
in December that he is retiring.
Timbrook, a pilot and commander employed with the 180th Fighter Wing out of Toledo Express Airport, is
eligible to retire in May. Shortly after retirement, he plans on training to become commercial airline
pilot.
"I call it a job transition and I’m just not going to have the freedom or availability over the next
couple years to be able to put the time into coaching that I have in the past," Timbrook said.
In his 21 seasons as an assistant and as the head coach at the varsity level Timbrook compiled a record
of 268-94-45 and captured 13 Northern Lakes League titles, turning Perrysburg into one of the area’s
perennial soccer powers.
In 2001 with Timbrook still an assistant, Perrysburg made its only appearance in the state finals,
dropping the contest in a penalty kick shootout.
"He’s a classy guy, a hard worker, and works well with our kids, and he’s represented Perrysburg
High School very well," Perrysburg athletics director Ray Pohlman said.
"We’re very sad that we’re losing him as a head coach, but I understand that he’s going to go on to
bigger and better things in retirement. … We’ll miss him."
Timbrook’s head coaching record at Perrysburg was 142-57-28, including a 63-12-9 mark in the NLL, which
secured six league titles. He is the winningest coach in Perrysburg soccer history.
Known for strict rules on and off the field, Timbrook molded players as athletes and young men.
"I kind of instill a lot of military style things on our boys. … They all have to have a
military-style haircut; the clean-cut, American boy look," Timbrook said. "When they get on
the team there’s a dress code. … They all look the same, it’s a team mentality. It’s a discipline issue
and everybody goes through the same thing.
"Over time I get emails and letters from parents saying it’s been a great experience … and that’s
what it’s all about," he said.
"It’s not all about winning and losing. You build camaraderie and friendship and you’re part of a
program and you take pride in it."
To go along with the military style is the players’ attitude during games.
Timbrook never allowed players to speak to referees during matches, and the officials took notice.
Timbrook’s teams won the Referee’s Sportsmanship Trophy twice during his tenure – something no other boys
team in Northwest Ohio has done.
"I don’t permit them to talk to the referees," Timbrook said. "You just have to get up and
play and shut their mouth and don’t argue and just play. Referees recognize that and it’s just part of
the game."
But as one might expect, after being part of a program for so long, Timbrook has yet to completely make
his way out the door.
He is still compiling next year’s schedule, running winter training and finalizing the team’s summer
plans.
"Whoever comes in next is just going to run the ship and make changes as he sees fit. … Whoever
comes in will just have to run the ropes and get into his routine," Timbrook said.
"The program has pretty much been set. It’s pretty much a fine-oiled machine as I like to put it.

"The aspect of always staying busy and being engaged with soccer and the community and the players
and the players will all slowly go by the wayside. That’s what I’ll end up missing."