Gustavus Adolphus College

Justin DeGrood '07 is entering his third season as the head coach of the Gustavus men's basketball program in 2024-25 after leading the team to one if its best finishes of the last decade. DeGrood was named the 24th head coach in program history on March 10, 2022, taking over for Mark Hanson '83 after a 32-year career leading the program. 

The 2024-25 Gusties charted new territory, highlighted by winning the MIAC Regular Season Trophy. Under DeGrood's leadership, the team started the MIAC season 15-0, including a 66-62 win against #6 Saint John's at home. The team finished the season with a 21-5 record, 15-1 in the MIAC, which is the best MIAC record in school history and the best overall record since 2001-02. 

At the end of the season, Justin DeGrood was named the MIAC Men's Basketball Coach of the Year for the first time in his career as head coach. The team collected a plethora of postseason awards as well. Myles Barnette and Wyatt Olson were selected as MIAC All-Conference selections and Evan Wieker being selected as a MIAC All-Conference Honorable Mention as well. Spencer Swanson was selected as a D3Hoops.com Third Team All-Region member and four student-athletes (Adam Biewen, Brady Kienitz, Carson Koch, and Evan Wieker) were names to the CSC Academic All-District team. 

DeGrood previously served as the lead assistant under Mark Hanson for nine seasons. In his first year at the helm, DeGrood led the Gusties to an overall record of 9-16 and a MIAC record of 9-11. DeGrood got his first head coaching victory on Nov. 11, 2022, defeating Saint Mary's 74-71. During the summer months, DeGrood and head women's basketball coach Laurie Kelly run the Gustie Basketball and Leadership Camp. 

Prior to returning to Gustavus in 2013, DeGrood served as an assistant coach at Bethel University for three seasons. While at Bethel, he assisted in defensive game and practice planning while specializing in guard play. He also served as the team’s recruiting and film coordinator, summer camp and tournaments co-coordinator, and was the team’s academic supervisor. 

Justin resides in Saint Peter with his wife and head gymnastics coach Aryn '09, and together have two daughters, Zoey and Harper, as well as a dog, Riggs.