Jacob (J.T.) Gritzmacher Named Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Bryant & Stratton College - Wisconsin
WAUWATOSA, WI (April 2, 2020) – Bryant & Stratton College – Wisconsin Athletics has named Jacob (J.T.) Gritzmacher as its new head men's basketball coach for its NJCAA Division II program.
The West Allis, Wis., native comes from NJCAA Division I Southeastern Community College (West Burlington, Iowa) where he was an assistant coach since 2017. At Southeastern, Gritzmacher oversaw recruiting, managing video software, preparing scouting reports as well as game-day preparation. Southeastern finished 22-9 in the 2019-20 season.
"I want to thank the search committee, Athletic Director Greg Brandner and Ryan Ratajewski (Associate Athletic Director) for entrusting me with this incredible opportunity to lead the Bryant & Stratton men's basketball program," Gritzmacher said.
"Bryant & Stratton has all of the resources to win at a high level and we are going to build and sustain a culture of success that leads us to becoming one of the premier junior college basketball programs in the Midwest. My family and I are excited to get back to Wisconsin and I can't wait to get to work."
Gritzmacher has been an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at UW-Whitewater (2015-17), Director of Basketball Operations and a Graduate Assistant at Longwood University in Farmville, Va. (2013-15) as well as a student assistant at UW-Whitewater (2011-13).
Gritzmacher has also coached for the Wisconsin Playground Warriors and has worked summer camps at the University of Wisconsin and Marquette University. He served as a student manager for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's basketball program from 2009-11.
"I am really happy for this opportunity for Coach Gritzmacher and his family," said Lorenzo Watkins, Head Men's Basketball Coach at Southeastern Community College. "JT has great basketball knowledge and understands what it takes to be able to compete at a high level. Coach Gritzmacher is a leader who will do a great job advocating for his student athletes on and off the court."
Gritzmacher marks the third head men's basketball coach in Bryant & Stratton College-Wisconsin's history. He is taking over a team that went 20-12, losing in the NJCAA Region IV semifinals.
The Bobcats are 46-45 since starting the men's basketball program in 2016.
"We are excited for JT to join the Bobcats family as our leader of the men's basketball program," Brandner said.
"JT's preparation, knowledge and passion for the game as well as his Wisconsin ties make him a great fit for Bryant & Stratton. Our goal since we started the program was to capture a Region IV championship and National Tournament appearance and we believe JT is the head coach that is going to take us there."
Gritzmacher earned a bachelor's degree in Human Health and Performance with an emphasis in Recreation and a minor in Coaching from UW-Whitewater. He is finishing his Masters of Education with an emphasis in Community and College Counseling from Longwood University.
Gritzmacher will be relocating to the Milwaukee area with his wife, Melissa, and son, Omari.
The Bobcats men's basketball program is recruiting for the 2020-21 season. Interested recruits should fill out the Bryant & Stratton Recruitment Form.