Head Coach Richard Zalenski (Coach Z)
The Spartans’ new head coach, Richard Zalenski, is the former head basketball coach for the Northland Pioneer College Golden Eagles. He coached the Golden Eagles from 1990 until December 28, 1998, when he suffered a massive stroke, which put him in a coma for over nine weeks and led to extensive therapy. Coach Zalenski’s overall coaching record includes 317 victories over 14 years. During his eight-year career with Northland Pioneer College, he enjoyed 200 of those victories and coached eight All-American players, nineteen All-Conference players, and twelve All-Region I players. He was twice honored as ACCAC Coach of the Year, as well as Region I Coach of the Year and NJCAA District I Coach of the Year. Prior to coaching the Golden Eagles, Coach Z was the head coach for Bristol University in Tennessee then at St. Mary’s College in Orchard Lake, Michigan. Coach received an Associate of Arts Degree from Michigan Christian College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Education at Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Bristol University. Richard the father of 3 children; Garrett 14 years old, Lindsey 8 years old, and Corey who is 4 years old

Assistant Coach Stephen Garnett
Stephen Garnett entered his first year as Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach for the Colorado Northwestern Community College Spartans this year. Coach Garnett joins us from Flagstaff, Arizona where he served as Assistant Head Coach for the Sinagua High School Mustangs.  In his one year at Sinagua High School, the Mustangs went 15-17, finishing second in the Grand Canyon Region as long as runner-up in the GCR championship game and the Mustangs advanced to the second round of the state playoffs, which is the farthest they’ve advanced since 1998.  Coach Garnett also was a personal trainer in the Flagstaff area, working with high school students in the off-season on strength training, as well as basketball development skills.  Prior to his coaching at Sinagua High School, Coach Garnett received a full ride scholarship to Northern Arizona University from 2001-2005 and was a three year starter for the Lumberjacks.  At his stint at NAU, the Lumberjacks played a number of powerhouse schools including Pitt, Oregon, Arizona (ranked #1 at that time), Texas Tech, Oral Roberts, with two wins against UCLA and UNLV, respectively.  Coach Garnett’s main duties with the Spartans include recruiting, scouting, on-floor coaching, strength training, academic advising and game preparation.