Head Coach - Mark Brunger

Coach Brunger is in his first year as Head Coach of the Muskegon Community College Jayhawk wrestling team, after spending two years as an assistant coach.  He spent the previous 3 years as head coach of the Orchard View Cardinals.  Mark has 11 years experience coaching wrestling at the high school varsity level.  

Coach Brunger is a graduate of Grand Valley State University with a BS degree in Physical Education and is currently working towards an MA in Education Leadership. He attended Muskegon Community College from 1991-93 where he wrestled for Coach Gaffner.  In his two year career he finished with a 37-15 record, was a student-athlete of the year nominee, Most Improved Wrestler, and Academic All-American. 

Mark spent his prep career at Williamston High School wrestling for Coach Jim Mooney.  He was a 3x state qualifier highlighted by a 45-2 senior year record and a 3rd place finish in the MHSAA state tournament in 1991.  

He has been teaching for Muskegon Heights Public Schools since 2005, currently teaching middle school computers and physical education.  He lives in Fruitport with his wife Cristy and son Reese.

Assistant Coach - Ron Gaffner

Coach Ron Gaffner returns as an assistant coach for the Jayhawks after 25 years as head coach. He is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a BS degree in Education and an MA in Athletic Administration.

During his tenure as head coach of the Muskegon Community College wrestling program the Jayhawks acquired 332 dual meet victories, with Coach Gaffner placing third among NJCAA coaches in total wins. His teams placed in the top ten of the national tournament eleven times. They won 6 MCCAA championships, 13 NJCAA Region XII championships, and had 7 individual national champions and 59 All-Americans. Over 100 of his wrestlers earned Academic All-American status. Coach Gaffner was selected MCCAA Coach of the Year six times, Region XII Coach of the Year thirteen times, and NJCAA Coach of the Year once. He has been an active participant in the National Junior College Coaches Association where he held the office of secretary/treasurer, vice president, and president for four years. He was NJCAA Man of the Year in 1981, is a member of the NCAA National Wrestling Hall of Fame, NJCAA Hall of Fame, Michigan Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame, and Greater Muskegon Area Hall of Fame. 

Coach Gaffner lives in Whitehall with his wife Nadine.