Jay Pivec, Head Coach
612-659-6404
The 2008-09 season was Jay Pivec's 19th season as head coach at MCTC and his 27th season overall as a collegiate head coach. The 2008-09 season one for the record books with the Mavericks finishing the year 33-2 losing in the national championship game 58-57. It was the Mav's 19th consecutive post season berth and capturing their 11th division title in 19 seasons. Coach Pivec also was honored by being named the NJCAA National Coach of the Year.
Along with his four years as an assistant, MCTC's 54 year-old mentor has a total of 31 years of collegiate coaching experience. For these last 31 seasons, Pivec has coached in a total of 890 collegiate basketball games. He served as an assistant coach at Minnesota State University, Mankato for two years (1978-1980), Augsburg College for one year (1980-1981), and the University of Minnesota for one year (1981-1982).
It was serving as an assistant that the foundation for success was laid for Pivec. His combined record while an assistant was an impressive 91-26. His success as an assistant did not go unnoticed. At age 27, Pivec was named head coach at Jamestown College in Jamestown, ND. He quickly established himself as an outstanding recruiter and tactician. After posting an overall record of 41-37 and a conference championship (1984) Pivec moved on to coach at Montana State University Northern in Havre MT. In five years his reputation as a recruiter and tactician continued to grow by advancing Northern into post season play on a regular basis. His teams finished runner-up in the Frontier Conference playoffs in 1986, 1988 and 1989.
It was in 1990 that Pivec decided it was time for a new challenge. He arrived back home in Minneapolis and took over a program that was on the verge of being discontinued. The Marauders had gone 0-22 in 1989 and it was Pivec's task to turn the program around. In the first season Pivec had the Marauders in the playoffs with a 16-10 record.
In his nineteen years at Minneapolis, Pivec has a record of 428-109 (539-236) career record, Pivec has established himself as one of the top collegiate basketball coaches in the nation today. A popular public speaker and clinician, Pivec has traveled the nation promoting the game of basketball. In the spring of 2002, Pivec was honored by being elected into the Minnesota Community College Conference Athletic Hall of Fame. Along with this honor Pivec has also been named coach of the year in the MCCC eight times - in 1993, 1995, 2001, 2003, 2005 ,2006, 2007 and 2009. Coach Pivec has coached 7 NJCAA All-Americans.
Ron Gates, Assistant Coach
612-659-6447
Ron Gates is in his 19th season as assistant coach, a position he has held under head coach Jay Pivec since Pivec was hired in 1990.
"Without a doubt, our many successes at MCTC are do in large part to Ron's commitment to the program; his tireless energy and high basketball IQ make him invaluable," Pivec said.
"In my opinion, no one has a better right hand man than I do."
Ron attended the University of Tennessee, and completed his B.A. in Business at Metropolitan State University. Ron earned his M.Ed. in Physical Education at the University of Minnesota.
Before joining MCTC, "Gator" was an assistant coach at Anoka-Ramsey Community College.
Coach Gates enjoys time with his wife, Kathleen, daughter Jaime, and son Benjamin. He's been known to get in a few rounds on the links during the summer months as well.
Chris Babcock
Chris Juergens
Steven Froemming
