“We are ecstatic to have Bob Pietrack as interim head coach this season,” said Hunter. “For the past four years, Coach Hofman has attested that Coach Pietrack is ready to take over the reins of the program. I have had the opportunity to watch Pietrack coach, work with our student-athletes and continue to work diligently to make this program one of the best in Division II. He is a proven recruiter, very hard worker, and he has the respect of his peers, colleagues and student-athletes.”
The associate head coach for the Skyhawks the past 11 seasons, Pietrack has been responsible for the program’s recruiting, scouting, scheduling, academic counseling, strength training and individual player development, in addition to on-the-floor coaching and assisting in the day-to-day basketball operations. Pietrack also serves as the director of the Skyhawks’ summer basketball camps.
“I am honored and humbled to be the next head basketball coach at Fort Lewis College,” said Pietrack. “Being a collegiate head coach has always been my goal, and being the head coach of my alma mater is truly a dream come true.
“I would like to thank President Dene Thomas and Athletic Director Gary Hunter for their confidence in me as a coach and their belief in the future of FLC basketball. I was able to learn a tremendous amount from Coach Hofman over the past 15 years. Being able to be the head coach with Coach Hofman as coach emeritus will be a great benefit. We enjoyed a great run together, and I am proud to be his successor. Our basketball program has been extremely fortunate to have George Boedecker and the Boedecker Foundation as great supporters. Their generosity and friendship have been beyond a blessing. We will continue to make them proud.”
In the past 11 seasons, Pietrack helped guide the Skyhawks to a 229-94 (.709) overall record. During this time, Fort Lewis won four straight RMAC West Division Championships (2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08), five berths into the NCAA Division II tournament (2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013), two RMAC Shootout championships (2008, 2011) and two RMAC regular season title (2004-05, 2007-08).
Pietrack helped lead the Skyhawks to the NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen for the first time in school history during the 2011-12 season.
Prior to his coaching career, Pietrack played four years for the Skyhawks under Hofman. He was a member of two RMAC West Division championship teams (2001-02, 2002-03) and played in two NCAA tournaments (2001-02, 2002-03). A two-time RMAC All-Academic honoree, Pietrack was a team captain and team MVP in 2003-04.
A 1999 graduate of Eagle Valley High School in Eagle, Colo., Pietrack was a four-year starter at point guard for the Devils. He earned all-state honors twice and all-conference accolades three times in basketball. He holds the Colorado 3A record for career assists (702) and led the state in assists three seasons. He also earned all-state honors four times as a first baseman in baseball and was a two-time all-state performer at quarterback in football.
Pietrack graduated from Fort Lewis College in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science. He completed his master’s degree in health and human performance from Fort Hays State University in 2008.
“My wife Lauren and I love Fort Lewis College and Durango,” said Pietrack. “Words can’t describe how much this opportunity means to us. As a coach it’s hard to make promises. However, I promise I will continue to pour my heart and soul into FLC basketball. I am grateful that I’m a Hawk that gets to stay home!”
