April 30, 2025
Trine University has selected Jon VanderWal, a veteran coach with a history of NCAA
tournament success, to head its men’s basketball program.
VanderWal compiled a 341-150 (.695) record in 18 years at Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio.
Under his leadership, the Pioneers reached the NCAA Tournament nine times, with a record of 14-9 in tournament action and a Final Four run in 2022.
“I want to start by thanking Coach Land and Dr. Brooks for making all of this happen. I never thought I would leave Marietta for another Division III job, but I have been extremely impressed by Trine's campus, facilities, academic offerings, and most importantly its people,” said VanderWal, “It's a huge change for my family, but we are truly excited to start a new era at Trine and to build on its recent successes.”
“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.”
“The memory of our men’s basketball national championship in 2024 is still fresh in our minds, and we are eager to return to the pinnacle of NCAA Division III play. Surrounded by players and assistants who already know what it takes to win, Coach VanderWal has the experience, the temperament and the ability to take us back,” said Earl D. Brooks, Ph.D., Trine University president.
Conference, national runs
Arriving at Marietta in 2007, VanderWal inherited a team that had only reached the NCAA tournament once in the 103 seasons prior to his arrival.
Under his leadership, the Pioneers became a force in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC), winning or sharing the regular season championship eight times.
The team also excelled in NCAA Division III tournament play. In addition to the Final Four run, the team advanced to the Elite Eight in 2015 and 2019 and the Sweet 16 in 2011 and 2017.
The Ohio Athletic Conference honored VanderWal as its Coach of the Year four times. He also received NCAA Division III Region Coach of the Year honors in four seasons and was NCAA Division III Glenn Robinson National Coach of the Year in 2015.
Pioneer athletes have experienced similar success under his leadership, with Marietta student-athletes earning 51 All-OAC, 16 All-Great Lakes Region and five All-American honors. Four Marietta players were selected as OAC Player of the Year during VanderWal’s time there.
A Cadillac, Michigan, native, VanderWal was a standout at the Albion (Michigan) College, where he earned a history degree in 2001. Before his run at Marietta, he served as an assistant at Ohio Wesleyan University, with duties including head junior varsity coach, recruiting coordinator, strength and conditioning coach and academic coordinator.
He and his wife Tera have a daughter, Kendall, and son, Trey.
Areeba Kazi, a Trine University biology major from Angola, Indiana, is the winner of the inaugural Jannen School of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Award for Excellence in Student Research.
The Angola Area Chamber of Commerce honored Trine University for the Best Business Contribution to the Community at its 12th annual Excellence in Business Accolades, known as Ebbies, on April 23.
Eight Trine University students filed 77 tax returns for low-income residents through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program this past semester.