Ric Wesley

Last College: Central Michigan '80 Position: Head Coach Experience: 8th Year

Ric Wesley is heading into his eighth season as the head coach of Grand Valley State. During his time with the Lakers, Wesley has compiled an overall record of 172-47 (.785) and a GLIAC record of 104-31 (.770).

During the 2010-11 season, GVSU finished the year 19-8 overall with a 14-5 record in the GLIAC, which qualified the Lakers for the GLIAC Tournament as the #3 overall seed. Following the season, senior forward Justin Ringler was named to the Daktronics All-Midwest Region Second Team, the GLIAC North Division First Team and the GLIAC North Division All-Defensive Team.

In 2009-10, GVSU finished the year with a 22-9 overall record and a 16-6 mark in the GLIAC, while the Lakers captured the GLIAC North Division championship. Grand Valley State advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the fifth straight year, defeating Findlay (68-56) in the opening round. The Lakers lost in the semifinals of the Midwest Region Tournament to eventual regional champion, Saint Joseph's, in a 78-76 overtime thriller.

After the season, junior forward Justin Ringler was named an All-GLIAC North Division First Team selection, as well as being named to the North Division All-Defensive Team, along with sophomore center Nick West. Ringler also earned recognition from the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), as he was chosen as a Midwest Region First Team selection.

In 2008-09, Wesley led the Lakers to a 21-10 overall record and a 14-8 GLIAC tally. Grand Valley State advanced to the GLIAC Championship game, falling to Findlay for the league title. GVSU also advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive season, where the Lakers were paired up again with rival Findlay. The Lakers fell in the quarterfinals to Findlay, which went on to win the Division II National Championship.

Senior forward Pete Trammell earned All-GLIAC North Division First Team honors for the second straight year, while sophomore forward Justin Ringler was named to the All-GLIAC North Division Second Team. Both Trammell and Ringler also were tabbed as North Division All-Defensive Team selections.

In 2007-08, Wesley led the Lakers to a 36-1 record, the first No. 1 ranking in school history and a berth in the Elite Eight for the second time in as many years. The Lakers also won a Great Lakes Regional Championship and their third consecutive GLIAC North title. Wesley coached two All-Americans this past season. Seniors Callistus Eziukwu and Jason Jamerson were both named DII Bulletin First Team All-Americans, while Eziukwu also earned National Association of Basketball Coaches and Basketball Times First Team All-American nods.

During the 2007-08 season, Grand Valley State won 36 consecutive games to start the year and ranked first in Division II in scoring defense (54.3 ppg.) and defensive field goal percentage (36.3). The Lakers were second in the country in scoring margin, outscoring opponents by 20.2 points per game, while also owning the second-highest win-loss percentage (.973). Defensively, GVSU held 15 consecutive teams under 60 points and allowed 70 or more points just twice throughout the season. The '07-'08 Lakers also ranked seventh in the nation in three-point field goal percentage (40.8), 11th in field goal percentage (50.1), 13th in rebound margin (+6.7), and 14th in fewest turnovers per game (12.5).

In the 2006-07 season, Wesley also took the Lakers to the Division II Elite Eight, capping off a 29-5 season with the No. 7 ranking in Division II. In addition to the team's first ever berth in the Elite Eight, GVSU also claimed the Great Lakes Regional Championship and aonother GLIAC title.

During 2005-06, Wesley led the Lakers to a 27-4 record and their first GLIAC title since 1997 and first postseason berth since 2001. GVSU finished that season ranked fourth in the NABC Division II Coaches' Poll, its highest ranking in school history. Wesley was appointed as Grand Valley State's fifth head coach on April 20, 2004.

Prior to being named head coach at Grand Valley State, Wesley completed five years as associate head coach at Southwest Missouri State. Ric joined the staff when current head coach Barry Hinson took over in 1999.

Wesley served as one of the primary recruiters at Southwest Missouri State, in addition to being active in every facet of the Bears' program. He helped guide the Bears to four winning seasons in his five years in the program, including a 23-win campaign with a trip to the second round of the NIT in his first season at SMS, 1999-00. Southwest Missouri State was 89-68 during Wesley's five years.

Prior to his arrival at SMS, Wesley spent four years as an assistant coach on the staff of head coach Grey Giovanine at Lamar University in Beaumont, Tex. Wesley helped direct the Cardinals' offensive attack as LU punched up the best scoring average in the Sun Belt Conference during the 1996-97 season, and Lamar turned in its best win total and longest stretch of winning seasons in over a decade.

Prior to his stay at Lamar, Wesley worked at Iowa State University during the 14-season tenure of Cyclones' head coach Johnny Orr. Wesley was a graduate assistant one year, a part-time assistant for a season, and a full-time assistant coach for the last twelve seasons he was in Ames, Ia.

He worked in every phase of the Iowa State program, including teaching, camp organization, scouting, preparation of highlight videos, recruiting and on-court game and practice coaching. During that span, Iowa State made six NCAA tournament appearances and went to the National Invitation Tournament on three other occasions. Wesley's tenure saw 10 Cyclones gain All-Big Eight Conference honors while a dozen players were academic all-conference selections during the same period of time.

During Wesley's ISU years, the Cyclones turned in six of the top seven all-time career scorers in school history and had seven National Basketball Association draft picks. Iowa State reached the NCAA tournament in 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1992 and 1993, reaching the Sweet 16 in 1986. ISU played in the preseason NIT in 1987 and 1992 and the postseason event in 1994.

The Cyclones accounted for 129 individual and team school records during the 14 seasons Orr and Wesley were together at ISU. The list of Iowa State NBA draft selections Wesley recruited and coached includes Robert Estes (Kings), Barry Stevens (Nuggets), Jeff Hornacek (Suns), Tom Schaefer (Nuggets), Sam Hill (Mavericks), Jeff Grayer (Bucks), Victor Alexander (Warriors), Sam Mack (Spurs), Fred Hoiberg (Pacers) and Loren Meyer (Mavericks).

A native of Chesaning, Mich., Wesley is a 1980 graduate of Central Michigan University and got his first coaching experience at CMU as a student assistant coach for the Chippewas during his four years on the Mount Pleasant campus. CMU reached tourney play in both the NCAA and NIT during that span. He also assisted briefly at Newaygo (Mich.) High school during the 1979-80 cage season and was active in camp work.

Wesley and his wife, Pat, are the proud parents of Charlie (23) and Caroline (19).