Geneva College hires new women's basketball coach

Geneva College’s new women’s basketball coach knows how to do two jobs at once, but he can limit his focus to one now.

Michael Grinder, both the men’s and women’s basketball coach at Pitt-Titusville, will take over the head coach position at Geneva, the university announced Tuesday.

Grinder, who replaces Lori Wynn, coached women’s basketball for four seasons at Pitt-Titusville and men’s basketball for two. He also was the assistant intramural and recreation director.

“I would like to thank President Dr. Calvin L. Troup, Director of Athletics Van Zanic and members of the search committee for the opportunity to serve as the next women’s basketball coach at Geneva College,” Grinder said in a statement. “I look forward to developing lasting relationships with the players, student body and the community of Beaver Falls. Knowing the history and tradition of the women’s program at Geneva, I am honored to lead this team and reestablish this tradition.”

Geneva finished 4-20 overall and 2-14 in Presidents’ Athletic Conference play in 2018-19.

Known for up-tempo attacks, Grinder’s teams at Pitt-Titusville set numerous school records, including single-game points and single-game 3-pointers.

Four Pitt-Titusville women’s players made the All-Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference first team during Grinder’s tenure, and he led the men’s team to a fourth-place WPCC finish in 2017-18, the highest in program history.

“It is an honor to represent the community of Geneva College and be able to guide these young women on their journeys of faith,” Grinder said in the statement. “I look forward to the road ahead, working with the players and making the Golden Tornados into a must-see women’s basketball program.”

A Simpson University graduate, Grinder played in Palestine, Guatemala and Macedonia for five seasons and also coached internationally in Moldova and Palestine.