April 14, 2025
Ferris State men’s basketball coach Bronkema headed to CMU, praised as an ‘incredible ambassador’ for Bulldogs
Ferris State University men's basketball head coach Andy Bronkema, who has led the Bulldog program for the past 12 seasons, is accepting an NCAA Division I head coaching opportunity at Central Michigan University.
Bronkema led the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament for the ninth time in the last 11 years this past season and claimed National Coach of the Year honors in 2018 after leading the Bulldogs to the university’s first NCAA D2 National Championship with a historic and NCAA all-time best 38-1 finish.
Ferris State will conduct a national search for the school's 14th all-time head men's basketball coach.
Ferris State Athletics Director Steve Brockelbank said Bronkema “helped make Ferris State one of the premier Division II men's basketball programs in the country."
"Andy has been an incredible ambassador for Ferris State University and Bulldog basketball and will be greatly missed," Brockelbank said. "While we will miss his leadership, dedication, and commitment. We're excited for him and look forward to watching him at the D1 level. He has poured his heart and soul into our program and earned this opportunity.”
Bronkema compiled a 279-105 record in his 12 years with the Bulldogs while helping the program win 20 games or more in each of the past 10 full seasons. He ranks as the program's second all-time winningest head coach, behind the legendary Jim Wink.
During his Bulldog head coaching career, Bronkema led Ferris State to nine NCAA DII tournament appearances, five GLIAC Tournament Championships and four conference regular-season titles.
The Bulldogs reached the NCAA Midwest Region Semifinals or beyond six times and advanced to the NCAA DII Sweet Sixteen three times with two DII Elite Eight berths and a national title.
This past season, Bronkema guided Ferris State to a 25-9 overall record and the program's 18th all-time NCAA Division II Tournament appearance. The previous season the Bulldogs claimed their fifth GLIAC Tournament title under his direction and won the Midwest Regional Championship to reach the Elite Eight for the second time in his tenure.
The Bulldogs posted a school-record 38 wins under Bronkema's direction in 2017-18 along with 28 victories in 2016-17 and 28 again last season in 2023-24. Ferris State was also highly successful at home in his time with the Bulldogs, including a 16-1 mark this past year inside Wink Arena. FSU compiled a perfect 22-0 home mark during its national championship run in 2017-18.
Bronkema took over the Bulldog program 12 years ago following six years as an assistant coach, including the final three as the program's top assistant under former head coach Bill Sall. A collegiate standout at NAIA Division II Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Mich., Bronkema was voted All-Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference three times and twice garnered NAIA Honorable Mention All-America laurels. He was a multi-sport prep standout at McBain High School.
The Ferris State men's basketball program has a long track record of success that includes more than 1,300 all-time victories, 17 GLIAC Championships and 18 NCAA Tournament appearances. Since 2004, the Bulldogs have reached the NCAA Division II Sweet Sixteen five times and won 13 GLIAC regular season or tourney titles.