Santa Fe College Athletics is pleased to announce the hiring of John Ritzdorf as head men's basketball coach.
Ritzdorf replaces longtime head coach Chris Morey, who retired after 21 years in Santa Fe, winning the conference's Coach of the Year award five times.
“I am very grateful and excited to be the head coach at Santa Fe. I would like to thank Dr. Naima Brown, Athletic Director Chanda Stebbins, and the entire search committee. I look forward to the challenge of building on the success we have achieved, and my family and I cannot wait to arrive in Gainesville and fully integrate into the Saints community,” said John Ritzdorf.
professional background
Ritzdorf recently completed his fifth season as the head men's basketball coach at Central Community College. He was a three-time Region 9 Coach of the Year at CCC and led the Raiders to their first NJCAA Division II National Tournament appearance in nine years. CCC had the highest winning percentage of any two-year college program in Nebraska under Ritzdorf and was named to the 2020 National Basketball Coaches Association Under Armor Under 30 Team, which represents the 30 best men's college basketball coaches. Selected. Under 30 years old.
Other administrative roles
- University of Nebraska at Kearney: Men's Basketball Assistant Coach (2016-2019)
- University of Nebraska at Omaha: Director of Basketball Operations (2014-2016)
- Northern State University: Graduate Assistant (2013-2014)
- Omaha Sports Academy: Youth Coach and Skills Instructor
- Ralston High School: Assistant Boys Basketball Coach
AD Stebbins’ Thoughts
“John is a proven winner and I look forward to watching him take over Santa Fe Men’s Basketball. He has a great relationship with them and looks forward to seeing how his investment in our young players will pay off for them and SF Athletics.”
education
Mr. Ritzdorf earned a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2013.
family
Ritzdorf is married to his wife, Dana Grenfell, and they have two sons, Alec and Bennett.
https://santafesaints.com/sports/mbkb/2023-24/releases/20240510m9gg1v