After eight years on the men’s basketball staff at Ball State – including seven as associate head coach – Jason Grunkemeyer is taking a new position outside of college basketball. The long-time Cardinal staffer is moving to South Carolina to be boys basketball coach and director of student-athlete and coach development at Hilton Head Christian Academy in South Carolina.
“This decision to leave Ball State is a bittersweet moment for my family and me. Muncie has been our home for the past eight years and we have many great memories from our time here both on and off the court,” Grunkemeyer said. “I want to especially thank Coach Whitford and all of our players, past and present, for allowing me the privilege of working with them. It has been rewarding to have been a part of this program and to see the tremendous growth that has taken place under Coach Whit’s leadership from when we began until now. Many friendships have been made here that I will cherish for the rest of my life and the Grunkemeyer family will always consider ourselves part of the Ball State family.”
“I want to thank Jason for being a great assistant coach for the last eight years. He impacted many lives, and helped us win many games. He is a terrific coach, leader and friend,” head coach James Whitford said. “He will always be a part of our Cardinal family.
“I’ve known Jason since his sophomore year in college, and watching him grow as a person and coach has been a great joy. He has always been a value-driven leader, and this opportunity is one that aligns with his core values. I support his decision completely, and know he will continue to impact lives and win games at Hilton Head Christian. I wish Jason, Angie, Josh, Nate and Evie great success and great times in this next chapter of their life.”
Grunkemeyer has been a part of Whitford’s staff for the head coach’s entire tenure, covering 117 wins and three first-place finishes in the MAC West Division. Before coming to Ball State, the Cincinnati native coached at his alma mater, Miami University, and at Saint Louis. The longtime college coach will be stepping out of Division I coaching and will be coaching younger players while also helping develop coaches and create a culture throughout the small private school’s athletics department.
“As a family, we are really looking forward to being a part of all that is going on there. A move like this is something Coach Whitford and I have discussed over the past couple of years as it aligns with the vision my wife and I have for raising our children, and this opportunity was just too good to pass up,” Grunkemeyer said.
Grunkemeyer added: “I look forward to what lies ahead for this Ball State basketball team as I know our players are as motivated as ever to have a memorable 2021-22 season and I will be following closely as they pursue a championship.”
Grunkemeyer departs Ball State MBB staff for prep job
