John Ritzdorf joined the Nebraska-Kearney men's basketball staff in the summer of 2016 and serves as one of the program's assistant coaches.
Despite losing an All-American and a three-time All-MIAA pick, UNK recorded the 26th 20-win season school history in 2016-17. The Lopers went 12-3 in the Health & Sports Center and were among the highest scoring teams (79.8) in the league. Individually, four players were named All-MIAA, including first-team pick Trey Lansman.
A year later, a banged up Loper squad rallied late to finish 16-14 and reach the MIAA Tournament quarterfinals for a fifth straight year. Lansman earned All-Central Region honors and went over 2,000 career points with fellow senior Ty Danielson finishing with well over 1,000 career points. Finally, UNK had three All-MIAA selections.
This past season a young Loper squad was involved in an unprecedented 21 games decided by 10 points or less. Picking up wins over nationally-ranked Colorado Mines and regionally-ranked Fort Hays State, the Lopers won 10 games, had two All-MIAA players and was among the league leaders in blocks. Off the court, the team had a 3.14 GPA for the 2018 fall semester.
Prior to coming to UNK, he was the Director of Men's Basketball Operations at Division I Nebraska-Omaha. During his time with Omaha, Ritzdorf helped the Mavericks win 31 games and reach the 2016 College Basketball Invitational. UNO averaged 85.3 points game in 2015-16, the fourth highest scoring average in the nation, while having two players named to the All-Summit League team.
The York, Neb., native has worked at the Division II level with Central Region member Northern State. Serving as graduate assistant in 2013-14, Ritzdorf saw the Wolves win 18 games and place fourth in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
Holding a degree in Education from UNO, Ritzdorf has also worked as a youth coach and skills instructor at the Omaha Sports Academy and as an assistant boys coach Ralston (Neb.) High School.
In the summer of 2018 he married Dana Grenfell.
