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, Assistant 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 earned a Master's Degree from 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 Nicki and they have two children Sydney and Jake. 

Brad Bergman, Assistant Basketball Coach

Coach Bergman begins his third season as assistant men's basketball coach.  No stranger to the College, Coach Bergman also assisted with the women's basketball program in 2000 to 2002.  In addition to his coaching responsibilities, he works for the Quincy Public Schools, Early Childhood Center.  His coaching responsibilities include recruiting, scouting, and other behind the scene duties fro the program.  Coach Bergman has already devoted many hours to furthering the program in his short stint with the Blazers.

Coach Bergman earned his associates degree with an Associates of Arts from John Wood Community College in 1996 and his Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Illinois University in 1998.

Before coming to John Wood, Bergman was the Head Girls' Basketball Coach at Southeastern High School in Augusta, Illinois.  He began his coaching career at John Wood in 2000.  While at John Wood, he served as the Women's Assistant Basketball Coach.

Brad, who resides in Quincy, IL, has twin sons, Brady and Bryce.

Bob Haistings, Assistant Basketball Coach

Coach Haistings begins his first season as an assistant coach for John Wood Community College men’s basketball program.  Recently retired, Haistings bring thirty-seven years of experience in teaching and coaching to the program.  His coaching responsibilities include assisting in preseason conditioning, monitoring practice, developing individual player skills, scouting opponents, and performing other program duties.

A Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Quincy College was earned in 1969.  Haistings received his Master of Science in Education Degree from Western Illinois University in 1976.  Extensive graduate work was completed through the University of Illinois, the University of Missouri, and Northeast Missouri State University between 1980 and 2003.

Prior to joining the basketball program at John Wood Community College, Haistings served as a teacher and coach at Central of Camp Point School District (1969-1980), Liberty School District (1981-1985), and Hannibal School District (1986-2006).