Head Coach - Mark Brunger
Coach Brunger is in his second year as head coach of the Muskegon Community College Jayhawk wrestling team, after spending two years as an assistant coach. He also has eleven years of experience coaching wrestling at the high school varsity level, most recently as head coach of the Orchard View Cardinals.
Coach Brunger is a graduate of Grand Valley State University with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and a master’s degree in educational leadership. He also holds an associate’s degree from Muskegon Community College where he wrestled for Coach Ron Gaffner from 1991 to 1993. In his two year career he finished with a 37-15 record, was a Student-Athlete of the Year nominee, Most Improved Wrestler, and Academic All-American.
Mark spent his prep career at Williamston High School wrestling for Coach Jim Mooney. He was a 3x state qualifier highlighted by a 45-2 senior year record and a 3rd place finish in the MHSAA state tournament in 1991.
Along with coaching, Mark enjoys teaching as an adjunct instructor at Muskegon Community College. He lives in Fruitport with his wife Cristy and son Reese.
Assistant Coach - Ron Gaffner
Coach Ron Gaffner returns as an assistant coach for the Jayhawks after 25 years as head coach. He is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a BS degree in Education and an MA in Athletic Administration.
During his tenure as head coach of the Muskegon Community College wrestling program the Jayhawks acquired 332 dual meet victories, with Coach Gaffner placing third among NJCAA coaches in total wins. His teams placed in the top ten of the national tournament eleven times. They won 6 MCCAA championships, 13 NJCAA Region XII championships, and had 7 individual national champions and 59 All-Americans. Over 100 of his wrestlers earned Academic All-American status. Coach Gaffner was selected MCCAA Coach of the Year six times, Region XII Coach of the Year thirteen times, and NJCAA Coach of the Year once. He has been an active participant in the National Junior College Coaches Association where he held the office of secretary/treasurer, vice president, and president for four years. He was NJCAA Man of the Year in 1981, is a member of the NCAA National Wrestling Hall of Fame, NJCAA Hall of Fame, Michigan Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame, and Greater Muskegon Area Hall of Fame.
Coach Gaffner lives in Whitehall with his wife Nadine.
Volunteer Assistant Coach - James Tietema
Coach Tietema is in his first year as a Volunteer Assistant Coach for the Muskegon Community College Jayhawk wrestling team. He has spent the last 9 years teaching and coaching at the high school level in Florida. The last two seasons, his teams claimed back-to-back state titles.
James Tietema is a graduate of the University of Findlay with a BS in Education – Intervention Specialist. While wrestling for Findlay, he finished as an All-American at the NCAA II National Tournament. He wrestled for Coach Gaffner at Muskegon Community College in 1999. He finished 2nd at the NJCAA National Tournament and had a season record of 20-1. James was also a Team Captain and voted the Co-MVP of the ‘99 team.
Coach Tietema spent his prep career at Holland-West Ottawa High School, wrestling for Karl Nadolsky. He was a 4x state qualifier and a 2x place winner. He captured the Division 1, 160 lbs. State Title his senior year with a record of 47-2. Coach Tietema was also a 4-year Team Captain, a 2x Team MVP, and recorded 100 falls.
He lives in Holland, MI with his wife Catherine and daughter Gabriella.
