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Steve Ernst has joined Montcalm Community College’s coaching staff and will lead the women’s basketball team. 

“I’m excited about the tremendous potential MCC athletics has,” Ernst said. “The college is surrounded by communities with tremendous athletic pride.” 

He graduated from Charlotte High School in 1986. He played for his father, averaging 28 points and eight assists, and earning first-team All-State honors as a senior. Ernst began his collegiate basketball career at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) and later played at Alma, leading the MIAA in assists during the 1989 season. He returned home to graduate and earn a bachelor’s degree in human relations from Olivet College in 1991. 

His coaching career began as an assistant men’s basketball coach at Glen Oaks Community College for the 1998-99 season, helping the Vikings become the NJCAA Region XII runner-up. The next season, he served as a volunteer assistant coach at GVSU. Ernst left GVSU to start his high school coaching career at Grand Rapids Central.  

Ernst was also the head varsity boys’ basketball coach at Cheboygan High School for the 2013-14 season. Before that, Ernst was the head boys’ basketball coach at Lansing Christian High School in 2012-13. Ernst’s other high school coaching experience included stops at Charlotte, Pentwater and Summit Christian Academy 

He began coaching at Olivet College in the 2016-2017 season. He led the team for three seasons. In 2018 at Olivet College, they won the MIAA championship. It’s the only title in the last 50 seasons. Also in 2018, he was selected Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan’s men’s college coach of the year. After that, he headed back to coaching high school at Harbor Springs in 2019-2021 and Reed City in 2021-2022. 

Ernst is looking forward to getting back to the college game at MCC. 

“It’s a wonderful challenge and opportunity to start the ladies hoops program,” he said. “We are actively recruiting for the 2023-2024 season nationwide.” 

He and his wife, Amy, have been married for 22 years and live in Petoskey. They have two Boston terriers. He loves to go listen to live bands in his spare time. 

Media contact:
Shelly Springborn
Director of Communications and Public Relations
shellys@montcalm.edu
989-560-0833