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Andy Bronkema

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Andy Bronkema
Current position
TitleHead coach
TeamFerris State
ConferenceGLIAC
Record170–59 (.742)
Biographical details
Born (1984-02-23) February 23, 1984 (age 40)
Playing career
2002–2007Cornerstone
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2005Grand Rapids CC (running backs coach)
2007–2013Ferris State (assistant)
2013–presentFerris State
Head coaching record
Overall170–59 (.742)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
NCAA Division II national championship (2018)
3 GLIAC regular season (2017, 2018, 2020)
4 GLIAC tournament (2015–2018)
Awards
NABC Division II Coach of the Year (2018)
2× GLIAC Coach of the Year (2017, 2018)

Andy Bronkema (born February 23, 1984) is the men's head basketball coach for the Ferris State Bulldogs.

Early life and education

Bronkema is the son of Joel Bronkema, the principal of McBain High School. Andy grew up in McBain, Michigan, and his younger brother Luke is also a college basketball coach.[1] Bronkema was a multi-sport standout at McBain High School, competing in football, basketball and baseball. He led the Ramblers to a state basketball title in 2002 in addition to a state football runner-up effort in 2001. Bronkema attended Cornerstone University, where he played on the basketball team. He led Cornerstone to two regular-season Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) Championships, one WHAC Tournament title and four national tournament appearances, including a NAIA Final Four berth. Bronkema was named team captain as a junior and senior and was a three-time named All-Conference selection. He earned the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan Scholar-Athlete Award and finished his collegiate career with 1,725 points, 982 rebounds, 336 assists and 140 steals. Bronkema graduated from Cornerstone with a bachelor's degree in Education.[2]

Coaching career

Bronkema began his career as the head running backs coach at Grand Rapids Community College in 2005 and helped the team finish as the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Non-Scholarship National Champions. In 2007, he became an assistant coach under Bill Sall at Ferris State University while also teaching elementary physical education at Crossroads Charter Academy. Bronkema was responsible for recruiting Division II Player of the Year Justin Keenan to Ferris State. In 2010, Bronkema was named Ferris State's top assistant, and he helped the Bulldogs win the GLIAC North Division Championship and reached the NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen. In the 2011–12 season, he led Ferris State to a share of a second-straight GLIAC North Division championship.[2] Bronkema led a camp and spotted Zach Hankins at it, offering Hankins his only scholarship offer.[3]

In May 2013, Bronkema was named interim head coach after Sall accepted the job at Northern Michigan University. Bronkema was named head coach on June 28.[2] He was offered the head job after the top two candidates turned it down. In his first season, Ferris State finished 10–16.[4] The Bulldogs improved under his direction, as they finished the 2015–16 season with a 24–10 overall record and an appearance in the NCAA Division II Sweet 16. The following year, Ferris State went 28–5, won the GLIAC regular season and tournament titles, and reached the Division II second round.[5]

In the 2017–18 season, he led Ferris State to a 38–1 record, including 19–1 in the GLIAC. The Bulldogs captured their first-ever Division II title by defeating Northern State in the championship game 71–69, and Hankins was named Most Outstanding Player.[6] Bronkema was named 2018 National Coach of the Year by the NABC.[7] Despite losing point guard Jaylin McFadden early in the season to a torn ACL, the 2019–20 team finished 27–6.[8]

Personal life

Bronkema married his wife, Jenae, in 2007 after graduating from college. They live in Big Rapids, Michigan with their daughters Elliana, Cambria, and Seneca. He is a Christian.[4] In addition to coaching at Ferris State, he is an adjunct professor in the College of Education and Human Services.[2]

Head coaching record

Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Ferris State (GLIAC) (2013–present)
2013–14 Ferris State 10–16 9–13 10th
2014–15 Ferris State 23–9 16–6 2nd, tournament champions NCAA Division II Round of 64
2015–16 Ferris State 24–10 13–9 6th, tournament champions NCAA Division II Sweet 16
2016–17 Ferris State 28–5 18–3 1st, tournament champions NCAA Division II Second Round
2017–18 Ferris State 38–1 19–1 1st, tournament champions NCAA Division II Championship
2018–19 Ferris State 20–12 12–8 4th
2019–20 Ferris State 27–6 16–4 1st NCAA Division II Round of 64, Cancelled due to COVID19
2020–21 Ferris State 9–11 8–8 4th
Ferris State: 178–67 (.727) 111–49 (.694)
Total: 178–67 (.727)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

References

  1. ^ Wallner, Peter (March 19, 2018). "Brothers coaching biggest games of their careers on same day". MLive.com. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d Slagter, Martin (June 28, 2013). "FSU hires Andy Bronkema to be men's basketball coach". Big Rapids Pioneer. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  3. ^ Wallner, Peter J. (March 24, 2018). "Zach Hankins' growth at Ferris State has been big for the program". MLive.com. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  4. ^ a b Michell, Aaron (January 26, 2018). "Faces in the Crowd: Andy Bronkema". Marion Press. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  5. ^ "Andy Bronkema". Ferris State Bulldogs. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  6. ^ Fernandez, Gabe (March 24, 2018). "Ferris State head coach Andy Bronkema has an amazing beard". Sporting News. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  7. ^ Hawley, Ross (April 13, 2018). "Recruiting Column: Ferris State basketball coach Andy Bronkema talks recruiting". USA Today. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  8. ^ Paul, Tony (March 2, 2020). "Led by Greg Kelser's nephew, Ferris State men's hoops back in national championship picture". The Detroit News. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
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