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Greg Tonagel


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Greg Tonagel


Head Coach Greg Tonagel

Coach Tonagel was much more than just a coach to me. He and his staff not only stand for the right things, but they live the right way every day. I can truly say that although he was my coach, I also saw him as a father figure in my life. He challenged me to grow in ways I had never been challenged before.
— RJ Mahurin, Class of 2014
Coach Tonagel was an outstanding basketball player for us here at Valparaiso University, and it is not a surprise to me the outstanding accomplishments he has made for IWU. He knows the game, works hard, and relates extremely well to his players. He truly is one of the best young coaches in our profession.
— Homer Drew


QUICK FACTS

  • 2014, 2016 and 2018 NAIA DII National Champions

  • 2014, 2016 and 2018 NABC/NAIA DII National Coach of the Year

  • 7-time Crossroads League Coach of the Year

  • 499-129 (.794) career record makes him the all-time winningest coach at IWU

  • 246-64 (.793) Conference record

  • 12 Regular Season Conference Championships in the past sixteen seasons

  • 10 NAIA Quarterfinal appearances in the last fourteen seasons--more than any school in the country

  • Has led Wildcats to top-6 NAIA ranking in each of the last sixteen years

  • Has coached 25 NAIA All Americans and 42 All-Conference players in his 18 seasons

  • Played in four NCAA Tournaments while at Valparaiso University

  • Has six children with his wife Amy (Jace, Will, Allie, Riley, Joel, and Abigail)


IN HIS OWN WORDS

A typical Wildcat player is...

 A player who has a fearless commitment to excel in the pursuit of unselfish goals.

IAm3 is...

IAm3 is to pursue the life of Jesus —he lived in radical obedience to God and selfless love towards other people. This becomes the pattern our lives are to follow for true success and fulfillment.

Fearless is...

In life and athletics, fear will try and paralyze you.  You must learn to let go of security or control.  In those big moments you must choose between safety and courage.  The bottom line is this: 'greatness favors the fearless.'

What makes a team great?

The self focus of our age works against greatness in team sports.  It also works against greatness in one’s personal life.  The aim of our program is to flip that focus by redirecting young men to make God the primary pursuit of one’s life while also investing into the destinies of others.  When a man makes this critical change and begins to realize the potential within himself, but that it has to be invested into others to have its power fulfilled and purpose found—that’s when a man becomes great and a team finds greatness.  It truly is one of the greatest paychecks in coaching!  

What do you hope a player who plays at IWU gains from his experience...

If there is one memory that our players should have of our program it is this:  God was first.  God was central.  There was passion for putting God first in all things on and off the court.  And secondly, meeting the needs of others is a fun way to play ball and live life.  I hope the formula for success that they take with them to their workplaces and homes becomes, 'if you want to be 1st, first find a way to be 3rd!'

What is your approach to helping players reach their potential on the floor?

It is special to want to be great.  My role as a coach is to motivate greatness inside each player.  I want them to embrace the adversity in hard work with joy, because this is the path to success.  Walking alongside my players encouraging them through this process is what I call coaching.  


GREG TONAGEL ON THE WEB

Greg Tonagel and Jeff Clark share at the Nations of Coaches Legacy Summit at the Chick-fil-A Leadership Center.

IWUHoops explains the mission behind 'Greater’


IAM3 Leadership Class


Tonagel Podcasts


Listen to Coach T talk about IAm3


Read a blog post by Coach T


Click here for Greg Tonagel Speaking Bio

Jeff and Jordan.jpg

Jeff Clark


Jeff Clark


Associate Head Coach Jeff Clark

Having Jeff Clark is like having another head coach on the bench. His strategic game planning has been instrumental in winning conference championships over the years. However, his influence goes far beyond X’s and O’s. He is a great coach of people. He knows how to lead young men to become the best they can be on and off the court.
— Greg Tonagel
Coach Clark is constantly displaying IAm3rd by how he coaches and treats his players. You know you will leave any conversation with him being challenged and encouraged by his godly wisdom.
— Jordan Weidner, Class of 2014


QUICK FACTS

  • Record of 433-98 (.815) with him on staff

  • Has served in the role of Associate Head Coach for three national championships, a Final Four, and six Elite Eight runs in the NAIA National Tournament

  • IWU has been ranked in the top 6 in each of the 16 seasons he has been on the staff

  • Serves as the offensive coordinator, where the Wildcats have led the nation in points scored, FG%, 3FG% and assists over the past nine seasons

  • Focuses on post player development, where he has mentored a post player to 1st, 2nd or 3rd Team All-American in each of the past 11 years

  • Has been named INB News NAIA Assistant Coach of the Year 4 times in his role as recruiting coordinator

  • Has five children with his wife Tiffany (Josh, Caleb, Luke, Audrey, and Jack)


IN HIS OWN WORDS

Why IWU...

While our facilities and success speak for themselves, there is something deeper that is happening here.  The mission of IWU is legit--there is a shared purpose (from administration to coaches to players to support staff) to change the world for Christ.  Joining in this movement while playing for one of the best leaders in the nation in Coach T is an exciting opportunity!  

IAm3 is...

IAm3 is more than a catchy slogan--it's a discipleship process that turns into a way of life.  Our goal is to try to position every person affiliated with our program to move beyond knowledge of God and into experience of Him.  Whether it is putting a teammate before yourself in the heat of competition or serving a meal to a Dominican child who will not eat another meal during the day, as we experience God through putting Him first and others second, we can't help but be transformed into a person who lives an IAm3 lifestyle.

Fearless is...

Being fearless is a manifestation of IAm3 at the deepest level.  The Bible tells us that 'perfect love drives out fear.'  As we learn to love God and others perfectly, our focus turns away from the circumstances that motivate our fear and onto our belief in something greater than our circumstance.  This allows us to play and live in freedom.

What do you hope a player who plays at IWU gains from his experience?

What we pray separates the experience of an IWU athlete is that they become experts in helping a team thrive by making those around them better.  While we don't minimize the importance of acquiring more knowledge and information, we do not think the problems in this world are going to be solved merely through knowing more. We believe the biggest problems will be solved by groups of people who understand how to sacrifice personal glory and use their gifts and abilities together for a greater purpose than themselves.  Our program is designed to train our players in this.  If our athletes can go into their families, communities, churches, and professions with the understanding they will only achieve great things through the service of others, we will have succeeded at our jobs.


JEFF CLARK ON THE WEB

Greg Tonagel and Jeff Clark share at the Nations of Coaches Legacy Summit at the Chick-fil-A Leadership Center.

IWUHoops explains the mission behind ‘Greater’


3rd Level Leadership

Caleb muthiah


Caleb muthiah


Assistant Coach caleb muthiah



QUICK FACTS

  • 1st season as an assistant coach with IWU

  • Spent 4 years as a student manager at IWU

  • Previously served as an assistant coach at Newberg High School (OR)

  • Originally from Newberg, Oregon


Why IWU...

This place has truly transformed my life. My time as a student saw enormous strides in my walk with Christ, and serving alongside this community has strengthened not only my relationships but my sense of purpose as a coach. Having the opportunity to continue pursuing the mission here with this program is a no-brainer!

IAm3 is...

Putting God and His people above the desires that you might have. This can be illustrated in several ways, but Christ calls us to follow Him in pushing aside all pressures of this world and wholeheartedly pursuing Him. We aim to see this in the mentality our guys play with, but more importantly, it’s the way that we as people engage with the world around us.

Fearless is...

Finding freedom in being IAm3 and in your identity in Christ. John 8:32 states that if we “know the truth, the truth will set you free.” Ultimate truth lies in the Lord and His Word, so being confident in that, we can love God and love others and drive out the power of fear in our lives.

What do you hope a player who play at IWU gains from his experience?

I hope that a player that comes through IWU is able to learn and grow in unimaginable ways. While basketball is the tool we’ve been given to utilize, the primary goal of this program is to equip young men to live lives specifically targeted to using their God-given talents and abilities to glorify Him and serve one another. The point is not to come and just find a place to play basketball; the point is to be surrounded by a community that supports and grows individuals that can go out and engage with their families, schools, and communities in a fruitful and meaningful way.


caleb muthiah ON THE WEB

Aaron Cufr


Aaron Cufr


graduate Assistant Coach aaron cufr



QUICK FACTS

  • 1st year on the coaching staff at IWU

  • Played college basketball at Trinity International University (Illinois)

  • Originally from Huntley, Illinois

  • Attended Rockford Christian School


Why IWU...

They are the perfect example of a program that pursues God in everything they do and pursues excellence on the court as well. Everyone I talked to about IWU basketball had nothing but positive things to say about the staff, players, and culture. I am beyond grateful to be in an environment like this.

Iam3 is...

Making God a priority in your life. In everything you do you are working for the Lord and not for man. When you pursue and serve the Lord you naturally begin to serve others and not look inward.

Fearless is...

Fully pursuing your goals with courage and not being afraid to fail.

What do you hope a player who plays at IWU gains from his experience?

I hope that a player gets mentorship to grow in faith and prepare himself for the next 40 years of his life. I hope all IWU players have relationships with teammates nd coaches that push them closer to Christ and that last a lifetime, and that they become the best basketball player they can be!


aaron cufr ON THE WEB

Doug Smith


Doug Smith


Assistant Coach Doug Smith



QUICK FACTS

  • Volunteer assistant coach

  • 2nd year on the coaching staff at IWU

  • Coached previously at Liberty Christian High School

  • Was an emergency medicine physician for 30 years


Why IWU...

I was at a hiatus in my coaching journey. I had heard Coach Tonagel interviewed on a podcast that I listen to regularly. I knew this was the type of place where I wanted to be. I now know it is the place where I want to be.

Iam3 is...

IAM3 is a guiding principle that guides us in a way that is contrary to today’s typical world view. In a mostly “get mine” universe, it is paramount for those of us who follow Christ to live a life that puts God first and others ahead of ourselves.

Fearless is...

Fearless is the freedom from worry that comes only when one truly understands that his or her eternal fate has been sealed by grace.

What do you hope a player who plays at IWU gains from his experience?

I hope every young man who leaves this program knows that IAM3 is not just a slogan on the locker room wall. I hope he has that woven in the fabric of his very being, so that he carries it with him into every aspect of his life as he moves forward. I also hope he knows that Coach Doug is always just a phone call away.


Doug Smith ON THE WEB