Arrives at Houghton from SIU-Edwardsville
HOUGHTON, Mich. – Eric Gruber has been named the 10th head coach of the Michigan Tech women’s basketball program, Vice President for Athletics & Recreation Suzanne Sanregret announced Monday (April 20). Gruber comes to Tech from NCAA Division I Southern Illinois Edwardsville, where he was an assistant women’s basketball coach for the past three seasons. He was an assistant coach at GLIAC rival Parkside during the 2022-23 season.
“We’re excited to welcome Eric and his family to Michigan Tech,” Sanregret said. “He brings several years of experience as a women’s basketball assistant coach, contributing to programs at a variety of levels while taking on a wide range of responsibilities.
“Eric understands the legacy of our women’s basketball program, the high expectations of competing for GLIAC and national success, and what it takes to recruit and develop outstanding student-athletes. His strong recruiting connections in Wisconsin and across the Upper Midwest will be a tremendous asset to our program. He values the small-town feel and close-knit community that make our campus special, and we’re confident he will build on our winning tradition by attracting top talent that excels both on the court and in the classroom.”
“First, I want to thank Dr. Richard Koubek, Suzanne Sanregret, and the rest of the search committee for giving me this opportunity,” Gruber said. “I’m really looking forward to building on what has already been established in this program. My wife Charlotte and I cannot wait to be a big part of a team and school with such a great tradition, community, and support.”
SIUE tripled its win total over the past three seasons and had a pair of freshmen named All-Ohio Valley Conference, including the Freshman of the Year. The 2025-26 Cougars notched the most wins since the 2017-18 season and led the OVC in three-pointers made. Gruber recruited and handled the youth, elite, and team camps.
At Parkside, Gruber helped the Rangers to their most wins in eight years and had a pair of players named All-GLIAC. The staff recruited an impactful freshman class with one earning GLIAC Freshman of the Year honors.
Gruber was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for two seasons (2020-22) at Coe College, an NCAA Division III institution in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Kohawks went to the conference championship game backed by an All-American and six all-conference honorees.
During the 2019-20 season, Gruber was an assistant coach at NCAA Division III Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. The Duhawks appeared in the NCAA Sweet 16 before COVID shut down the rest of the tournament. The 2020 season was the best in school history with a 25-4 overall record and a final No. 7 ranking in the nation. Two student-athletes were named All-Americans with four all-conference selections.
Gruber holds a pair of degrees from North Central College with a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Communications and a Master’s in Sports Leadership. He was a graduate assistant with NCC Women’s Basketball for two seasons after a four-year playing career on the golf team. He competed in three College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Championship tournaments, highlighted by a 17th-place finish as a junior in 2015, and averaged a career-best stroke average of 78.43 as a senior.
Michigan Tech will host a media day with Coach Gruber at a later date.
Samantha Quigley Smith – SIUE Women’s Basketball Head Coach
Eric Gruber is a winner in every sense of the word. He is one of the brightest minds in the game right now and does a great job of connecting with those around him to make them their best. He is a player’s coach, and his ability to develop student-athletes is second to none! Eric’s connection to Division II and the GLIAC will prove to be a huge asset! We are so proud of Coach Eric, but we will miss him here in Edwardsville. Michigan Tech is so lucky to call him the next Head Coach!
Kayla Waskow – Coe College Women’s Basketball Head Coach
Eric is a dedicated coach with a great basketball mind and feel for the game. He is tireless in his recruiting efforts, and I have no doubt he will bring in great student-athletes to Michigan Tech. He works endlessly to improve not only the program, but the players and coaches around him. You are getting a great person and coach, and I look forward to following his success. Congrats to Eric and his family!
Jen Conely – Parkside Women’s Basketball Head Coach
Congratulations to Eric, Charlotte, and Beckett! Eric is an exceptional coach and an outstanding person. His unique experience of coaching in Divisions I, II, and III has provided him with invaluable experience and prepared him for this opportunity. Eric’s ability to connect with student-athletes and the community is special. I know he is ready to build on their tradition and have no doubt that the Michigan Tech faithful will be excited to welcome him and support their program.
Andrew Gavin – Southern Illinois Edwardsville Vice Chancellor & Director of Athletics
Congratulations to Michigan Tech and Coach Gruber! I’ve been fortunate to have worked with Eric at Parkside and SIUE, and he’s ready for the opportunity to be a head coach! He has an excellent basketball IQ, is a hard worker, and he will recruit and develop high-character and talented student-athletes on and off the court.”
