Aaron Tullis’ career at Northview High School has come full circle.
Tullis developed into a college baseball pitcher and first baseman at Northview. He played on the Wildcats, alongside former coach Greg Szparka, until his graduation in 2001 and eventually returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach.
Entering his 17th season in a coaching role with the program, Tullis will take on a new position for Northview. Tullis is taking over as the Wildcats’ head coach.
“I'm a guy that bleeds black and gold,” Tullis said. “Northview, Sylvania, it's a great community. Born and raised there. And the opportunity to take over a program that I invested so much time and effort, it's truly a dream come true.”
Northview is coming off the best season in program history. The Wildcats, then led by Szparka, clinched the program’s first district and regional titles. Northview, runner-ups in the Northern Lakes League, capped off its 2022 campaign with a Division I state title, another first in program history.
As an assistant, Tullis ran the Wildcats’ pitching staff for the previous 10 years. During the Division I state title run, Northview pitchers allowed an average of 1.33 runs per game.
“He's good at reading the kids,” Szparka said, “and understanding what they need from us as coaches to get the best out of them.”
Spzarka resigned from his position on Sept. 1. Northview collected interest and resumes from applicants for two to three weeks. The school then compiled a six-person committee, including Wildcats athletic director Chris Irwin, to interview several candidates.
Tullis demonstrated all of the characteristics Northview was searching for in a candidate, Irwin said. Tullis had built a rapport with students, communicated with parents, and assisted Irwin in organizing hotels, food, and arranging practice at the University of Akron during the playoff run.
“The kids, the families have a very good rapport with coach Tullis,” Irwin said. “We've got a lot of feedback from them, you know hoping, 'Hey, this is what he brings to the table and what we appreciate.' And there was a lot of agreement from our end of what he did.”
Tullis’ relationships between players, his fellow coaches, and the Northview community are his top priority.
“I think being able to be a person that kids can lean on during their tough times, their exciting times, their great times, that's a role I don't take for granted, that's for sure,” Tullis said. “And I'm going to encourage my staff to be around, to be available, and be out in the community.”
His relationships stretch outside of the Sylvania community. Tullis, who played for the University of Findlay, has strong connections to other coaches at the Division II, Division III, and NAIA levels in the region.
“He knows what it takes to play Division II baseball and maybe what a Division III or NAIA kid looks like, as well,” Irwin said. “And can help kind of sell that kid or get them recruited. And be upfront and honest with the family because of his positive relationships, like, 'Hey, here's where I see your kid fitting at the next level,' if they want to get to this level.”
Tullis said he plans to pull elements from Szparka and former Northview coach Kevin Danzeisen’s coaching styles and combine it with his own method. Tullis worked under Danzeisen before Szparka was hired as head coach.
He highlighted Szparka’s attention to detail and emphasis on the little things, and Danzeisen’s philosophical approach and his ability to get the most of his players as tools Tullis learned from both coaches.
“My style's going to be very detail oriented,” Tullis said. “We're going to be aggressive. We're going to take care of the small things and try to outwork you.”
First Published March 24, 2023, 8:59 p.m.
