DMACC Bears Athletics Program
Men's Basketball Coaches
Meet the Coaches
2011-2012 Coaching Staff
Head Coach:
BJ McGinn
Assistant Coaches:
Ben Walker
Spencer Esslinger
Brett Cain
Cody Pearson
Managers:
Michael Plasencia
Kevin Wilkinson
Head Coach BJ McGinn
bjmcginn@dmacc.edu
B.J. McGinn returns for his third year as head coach of the Bears, and his sixth season overall at DMACC after spending three seasons as Hall of Fame coach Orv Salmon’s assistant. McGinn’s head coaching record over his first two seasons is 45-15 for a .750 winning percentage. His teams have earned national rankings of #1 and #2 during these years. During his five years with the Bears, McGinn has helped guide them to a combined record of 120-37.
The 2010-11 season saw the Bears finish with a 23-8 overall record and reach as high as number 2 in the NJCAA national poll. In addition, DMACC basketball extended their streak of 20-win seasons to 11 in a row. The Bears graduated five sophomores, moving on to the likes of D-1 Stephen F. Austin, D-1 University of Texas-San Antonio, D-2 Missouri Southern State University, D-2 Truman State University, and Grand View University. The Bears concluded the season with 4 all-region performers and 3 academic all region performers.
During 2009-10 season, McGinn led the Bears to a school record 17 consecutive wins to begin the season. This start propelled the Bears to a number 1 National Ranking. The Bears concluded the season 22-7 with a final nation ranking of fifteenth in the polls. During the 09-10 season, the Bears were ranked in the Division II national poll each week. The 22 win season marked the 10th consecutive 20 win season for the DMACC men’s basketball program.
Prior to becoming the head coach at DMACC, McGinn served as assistant for current Athletic Director and Hall of Famer Coach Orv Salmon. The 2008-09 team finished with a record of 20-11 and advanced to the regional semifinals. The 2007-08 Bears finished runner-up in the Iowa Community Athletic Conference, with a record of 24-6 and a final national ranking of seventh. The 2006-07 Bears compiled a school best record of 31-5, won the Region 11 championship, advanced to the Elite Eight, and finished the season ranked fifth in the country. During this period, the Bears have had 16 All-Region performers and two All-Americans.
Prior to coaching at DMACC, McGinn served as an assistant coach at NCAA Division II Wayne State College in Nebraska from 2001-2003, and 2005-2006 for former Des Moines North Polar Bear Rico Burkett. Following the first year of both his stops in Wayne to recruit, the Wildcats doubled their season win totals the next year. In addition, the Cats produced 11 all conference performers, including 8 1,000 career point scorers.
McGinn also had a two year stint at NJCAA Division I Eastern Arizona College where he helped guide the Gilamonsters to a 37-23 record. During this period, the Gilamonsters produced seven all-region performers and one All-American. EAC sent players on to Loyola Chicago, Western Illinois, Mercer University, Northern Arizona, Lamar University, and several others.
Before entering the college ranks, McGinn was an assistant coach at Cedar Falls High School in Cedar Falls, Iowa from 1998-2001. While at Cedar Falls, McGinn worked under Iowa High School Hall of Fame Coach Jerry Slykhuis who amassed over 500 wins in his coaching career.
Prior to coaching at Cedar Falls High School, McGinn spent time as an assistant coach at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa from 1996-97. During his time with the Wartburg Knights, McGinn assisted current University of Evansville Head Coach Marty Simmons.
A native of Cedar Falls, Iowa McGinn earned his bachelor's degree in secondary education from the University of Northern Iowa in May of 2001. He continued his education at Wayne State College where he earned his master's degree in athletic administration in May of 2003. He currently resides in Boone, IA with his wife Alisha and her son Cole.
Assistant Coach Ben Walker
Ben Walker begins his first season as an assistant basketball coach for the DMACC Bears. Ben’s duties for the Bears include recruiting coordinator, player development, scouting and game preparation, academic coordinator, and camp coordinator. In addition, he oversees all aspects of the day-to-day operations of the program.
Walker played Division I basketball at Creighton University during which he was named to the Missouri Valley Conference All Tournament Team in 2000 and All-defense team in 2001.
After graduating Creighton in 2002, he went on to play professional basketball for six years in Europe, Australia, and Qatar. After playing professionally he continued his passion for basketball with the Hawks Foundation. During his four years at the foundation he coached and trained middle school and high school students as well as provided and created strength and conditioning workouts for college students and professional players.
In 2010, Ben Walker was inducted into Creighton University's Athletic Hall of Fame.
Assistant Coach Spencer Esslinger
saesslinger@dmacc.edu
As the 2011-2012 basketball season begins, Coach Spencer Esslinger returns for his eight year as an assistant with the DMACC Bears basketball program.
During Esslinger’s years at DMACC, the Bears have averaged 25 wins a season, including a NJCAA Region XI Championship in 2007. DMACC has also produced 24 All-Region players and 3 NJCAA All-American’s during Coach Esslinger’s tenure at DMACC.
Prior to coaching at DMACC, Coach Esslinger spent two seasons as an assistant coach at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, MN. While at St. Cloud, Esslinger helped coach the Huskies to a North Central Conference Championship and a birth in the NCAA Division II National Tournament. In addition to coaching at St. Cloud State, Esslinger also spent 6 seasons as an assistant coach at Ames High School in Ames, IA.
Spencer earned his Bachelor’s degree in History from Iowa State University and his Master’s Degree in Sports Management from St. Cloud State University. His duties at DMACC include on the floor coaching, recruiting, scouting and film exchange.
In addition to coaching at DMACC, Spencer is also a social studies teacher at Ames Middle School. Spencer resides in Ames with his wife Katie and daughters Shelby and Sophie.
Assistant Coach Brett Cain
Brett Cain begins his second season as an assistant coach with the DMACC Bears. Cain played for Coach BJ McGinn for 2 seasons from 01-03, and then working on staff together at Wayne State College in Wayne, NE in 05-06. His primary duties will be player development with the Bears front line, recruiting, and in game coaching.
During his playing days at Wayne State, Cain scored 1,228 points during his career from 2001-2005, ranking 12th on the all-time scoring list. As a senior, Cain averaged 15.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game to earn Second Team All-Northern Sun Conference
honors while leading the NSIC in field goal percentage (.615). During his junior season, Cain led the Wildcats in scoring (17.4) and rebounding (6.8) to earn First Team All-Northern Sun Conference honors. He also ranks fourth on the all-time list at WSC in career free throws made (374) and attempted (507).
Cain is a 2001 graduate of Cedar Rapids Prairie High School in Iowa. While at Prairie, he was an INA Class 4A Second Team All-State selection as a senior after averaging 16 points and 7 rebounds per game.
Brett graduated from Wayne State College in 2005 with his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology. He is currently a sales representative for NMC Material Handling. He resides in Boone with his wife Rayna, who is an assistant volleyball coach for the Bears, and their daughter Sydnie.
Assistant Coach Cody Pearson
Cody Pearson begins his second season as an assistant coach. Pearson’s duties include recruiting, player development, and game preparation. Cody is a 2008 graduate of Creston High School where he was all conference, all Western Iowa in basketball, and 2nd team All-State in football. After high school, Pearson came to DMACC and played two seasons under former Coach Orv Salmon and current Coach B.J. McGinn.Cody currently resides in Ames with his wife Meghin