Professor Jim Unke Retires from Coaching After 34 Years

By Sports Information Director Mike Gibbons

This winter, change came to the Martin Luther College men’s basketball program, as Greg Holzhueter ’10 took over for Jim Unke DMLC ’83, who had served in that role for 19 seasons.

 

It marked the end of a 34-year coaching career for Unke that started at East Fork Lutheran High School in 1980, and included stops at St. Paul-New Ulm, Lakeside LHS, and MLC. During that 34-year career, Unke compiled 380 wins.

His MLC resume includes 164 wins (96 in UMAC play), three UMAC Coach of the Year Awards, two regular season conference championships, and one UMAC Tournament title. His high school coaching career included one state championship, three conference championships, and three Coach of the Year awards.

During the 2015-16 season, Unke decided he would step out of his role as men’s basketball coach at the end of the season to put a greater focus on his job as the athletic director at MLC, a job he has held since 1997. It was a difficult decision, but one he felt necessary.

“I absolutely love coaching,” Unke said. “I really hate to see it end, but with the responsibilities as the AD growing, something had to give.”

During his tenure as the athletic director, Unke has helped the Knights remain competitive in 16 varsity sports and has also played a pivotal role in the expansion of the school’s athletic facilities, including the opening of the school’s new soccer facility and baseball field in the last ten years.

One year into his retirement from coaching, Unke is very thankful for the chance he had to impact the lives of so many young men throughout his career. “It was a privilege to coach here for 19 years. The mission of our college puts athletics in a different perspective compared to many we compete against, but also creates an environment for competition that is unique and unmatched anywhere else. I am very thankful to all the young men I’ve had the opportunity to coach.”

Holzhueter, a former player under Unke who still holds the MLC records for assists (370) and steals (170), took over the men’s basketball program this season after three seasons at the helm of the Bethany Lutheran College men’s basketball program. The challenge of replacing his former coach is one he looks forward to in the coming years.

“Taking over for my coach at MLC, Coach Jim Unke, is an honor and a privilege,” Holzhueter said. “I have the utmost respect for him as a coach and a person. Taking over the program is also a responsibility I don’t take lightly, because I have a very clear understanding of what Coach Unke built over the last 19 years as head coach of MLC’s men’s basketball program.

“My understanding comes from having played for Coach Unke for four years and having coached against him for a total of five years,” he continued. “His teams had a reputation of playing with intensity, heart, and toughness. He taught his players, including me, the value of hard work and competition without ever having to say a word about it. My biggest priority in taking over for Coach Unke is maintaining the culture that he built during his 19-year tenure, because that culture is what has made MLC men’s basketball so special.