MBB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[oldknight]

I think the Trine program is in a spot where they can easily attract a coaching candidate with a lot more experience. 

I definitely agree -- I would have to think this is an attractive job to a lot of candidates.

Like Jon VanderWal, possibly? He's a good and experienced coach with an MIAA background.

[Pat Coleman]

I've heard similar.

[scottiedawg]

I wonder how much Isaiah Hamlet's recruiting commitment is linked to VanderWal.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

If VanderWal would become the next coach, does he bring his assistant and former Trine player Pete Smith with him?  Maybe Pete is even throwing his hat in the ring?

[TUAngola]

So does anyone have the 'scoop' on Trine's new coach?  I can't find any annoucements.  If someone has a name but not confirmed, I'll take a private message if you don't want to post here.

[KnightSlappy]

Per Ryan Whitnable, Jon VanderWal will leave Marietta to take the Trine job.

VanderWal is a West Michigan native and played his college ball at Albion.

https://x.com/OACBBallShow/status/1917333656126816709?s=19

[TUAngola]

Per Ryan Whitnable, Jon VanderWal will leave Marietta to take the Trine job.

VanderWal is a West Michigan native and played his college ball at Albion.

https://x.com/OACBBallShow/status/1917333656126816709?s=19

That's a really good coach that Trine is getting.  I know he's had tons of success at Marietta, getting into the NCAA tournament 9 of his 16 seasons with the Pioneers, including a final 4 berth in 2022.  Curious as to why he would be leaving a great program like Marietta, other than to get back closer to home and compete in the MIAA.

Interesting fun fact, Trine and Marietta will be playing against each other in the Great Lakes Invitational this coming November.

[Dr. Acula]

Great hire for Trine.  I don't know that you could do better hiring from the D3 ranks.

[monsoon]

Great hire for Trine. Welcome back to the MIAA, Jon.

[sac]

Per Ryan Whitnable, Jon VanderWal will leave Marietta to take the Trine job.

VanderWal is a West Michigan native and played his college ball at Albion.

https://x.com/OACBBallShow/status/1917333656126816709?s=19

That's a really good coach that Trine is getting.  I know he's had tons of success at Marietta, getting into the NCAA tournament 9 of his 16 seasons with the Pioneers, including a final 4 berth in 2022.  Curious as to why he would be leaving a great program like Marietta, other than to get back closer to home and compete in the MIAA.

Interesting fun fact, Trine and Marietta will be playing against each other in the Great Lakes Invitational this coming November.

Jon is from Cadillac, played college basketball at Albion. 

Great hire for Trine. 

[Flying Dutch Fan]

A great "get" for Trine and the MIAA, and I'm also impressed with how quickly it was done!  14 days after the announcement of Brooks leaving they are announcing the new hire.   It seems more common that it takes 14 days just to start the process and form a selection committee...

[TUAngola]

A great "get" for Trine and the MIAA, and I'm also impressed with how quickly it was done!  14 days after the announcement of Brooks leaving they are announcing the new hire.  It seems more common that it takes 14 days just to start the process and form a selection committee...

Quote from Trine Athletic Director Matt Land from the athletics web site:

"Coach VanderWal is the perfect choice to continue and build on the men's basketball success we have had at Trine University," said Matt Land, assistant vice president for athletics. "The outpouring of interest for the position was amazing and I want to thank everyone who reached out. Jon has shown that  he knows how to develop a culture of success, and how to win at the highest level. He was the first person we spoke with and we are ecstatic that he has decided to help Trine University remain one of the nation's elite NCAA Division III programs."

How often do you hire your 'first choice' for a coaching vacancy position?  Being a DIII fan I knew about Coach VanderWal's program at Marietta, now I'm scouring the internet to find more information about Coach VanderWal.  From what I'm reading he's a well respected coach and person.  As much as I hated to see Brooks Miller leave, the hire seems to be a home run for Trine University.

[Ryan Scott (Hoops Fan)]

I think he'll fit in very well with the culture that's been developed.  I overheard him pitch a recruit at the very first Great Lakes Invitational.  There was no pandering or selling involved.  Lots of "this is going to be the hardest thing you ever do.  We're going to push you.  You might hate me.  You're not going to enjoy all of it, but we're going to get the most out of you."  Not difficult to figure out how he actually tends to get the most out of his players.  Great hire.

[Flying Dutch Fan]

Appears one Trine recruit has "decommitted".

Zack Parks 6-5 F Lake Orion (MI) is now commited (per X) to Mid Michigan College

https://x.com/zackparks2025/status/1916688445772099730

[sac]

Avery Sanchez 6-2 PG  Turlock, CA (Pitman HS) will attend Hope

He was the Modesto Bee Player of the Year.