Michael Elbe, Head Basketball Coach

Michael Elbe, serves John Wood Community College as the Director of Student Life & Athletics. In 1991, he was hired to create and develop the College’s first intercollegiate athletic program, while enhancing the development of the Student Life Program. “I strongly believe that a comprehensive Student Life Program and co-curricular activities provide educational and leadership opportunities for our students to grow as people, students and future professionals.

Michael Elbe has had two stints at John Wood Community College. The first being from 1990-1997, when he served as John Wood’s first Director of Student Life & Athletics and Head Men’s Basketball Coach, and the second in 2002, when he returned to serve as the Director of Athletics and Head Men’s Basketball Coach. Between 1997-2002, he was at the University of Dubuque (IA), serving as the Director of Athletics, Head Men’s Basketball Coach and Assistant Dean of Students, while also teaching classes in Physical Education at the College.

Michael earned his Masters of Education degree from the University of South Alabama (Mobile) in 1987 and a Bachelor of Science degree from Quincy University (IL) in 1986. While doing his graduate work at the University of South Alabama, he served as assistant basketball coach and taught physical education classes. After his graduate work, Michael was at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington and at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian College serving in student life, teaching and coaching positions.

Elbe has earned numerous awards, including five Coach of the Year distinctions. He has been selected as an Outstanding Young Men in America, while receiving the Most Inspirational Teacher Award from Western Illinois University and a Certificate of Merit Award from the American Red Cross. He was also selected the Professional Staff Member of the Year at JWCC in 1996. Native of Camp Point (IL), Elbe was raised a coach’s son playing for his father, the late Coach Harry Elbe, who is in the Illinois Coaches Hall of Fame.

Michael Elbe is married to Gerese, and they have three children, Olivia, Harrison, and Lincoln.

Brad Hoyt, Associate Head Basketball Coach

Coach Brad Hoyt returns to the Trail Blazer basketball program as serving three years as Head Basketball Coach at Culver Stockton College in Canton, MO.  He is no stranger to the program playing on a NJCAA national qualifying team for Coach Elbe  (1994-95), serving as an Assistant Basketball Coach for five seasons before becoming the Head Coach during the 2004-05 season.  After finishing the 2004-05 basketball season with 19 victories and having a player named  first team All American (Joel Box), he accepted the head coaching position at Culver Stockton College.  Coach Hoyt provides valuable recruiting experience for the Trail Blazers and his head coaching credentials add to his overall contributions to the basketball program. 

Coach Hoyt earned a Bachelor's Degree from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA in 1997.  He has completed graduate work at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.  He has served in several Enrollment Service positions in college and has been a college instructor for several years. 

Brad Hoyt is married to Nikki and they have two children, Sydnie and Jake. 

Kevin Meyer, Assistant Basketball Coach

Coach Kevin Meyer joins the Trail Blazer Basketball staff this year after completing 12 seasons of coaching at Quincy Notre Dame high school. During this time, QND won 10 Regional championships and made 2 Final Four appearances. In addition to coaching basketball, Coach Meyer has coached club soccer, as well as played on the collegiate level. As a student of the game, he brings in-depth knowledge of the intricacies of the game of basketball. Part of his duties with the Trailblazer program will be to work with and develop the post players.

Coach Meyer is a Graduate of Culver Stockton College with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration and currently works with Midland Paper Company as a fine paper representative.

He resides in Quincy with his wife Christina and their three children Annmarie, Madison and Jackson.