Men's Basketball Coaching Staff

Head Coach Eddie Trenkle

Eddie Trenkle enters his 7th season as the Head Coach for the Northeastern Plainsmen. In his first year, Trenkle led NJC to a Region IX Championship and a 7th-place finish in the National Tournament. He also led the Plainsmen to a 34-2 overall record and a national ranking of 3rd, NJC was also undefeated at home and in Region IX play. In his second season NJC posted a 30-4 and a national ranking of 3rd. Trenkle’s 3rd season started off like the previous two, starting the year off with a 8-0 mark and ranked 3rd in the country before they took their first loss of the season. The Plainsmen finished the year hosting the Regional Tournament and beating eventual National Champions Salt Lake CC. Now coming into his 7th season Coach Trenkle has continued the path of excellent’ s adding some great freshmen and getting some key Division 1 Transfers to come to Sterling Colorado. This year’s group is filled with some players who know how to win at every level. Most of these kids have won a state title or competed for one. They all come from excellent high school backgrounds and very successful High School teams. This year they kids have come in to work and compete at the highest level. They share the same goal as Coach Trenkle and his staff, “Win a National Title for NJC!”

Trenkle took the Northeastern job after serving as an, assistant men’s basketball coach and instructor in the human performance and wellness department at Fort Hays State University since 2002. During his tenure at FHSU, they reached the Division II National Tournament two times and were ranked number one in the nation during his final season there. Prior to this position, he was a graduate assistant to the men's basketball program at Idaho State University from 2000-2002.

Trenkle finished his bachelor's degree and earned a master's degree in athletic administration at Idaho State University.

Trenkle was a 5'10" point guard who came to NJC in the fall of 1997 after playing one season at Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming. He was a three-year letterman at Twin Falls High School in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Former NJC Coach Lowell Roumph welcomed Trenkle's interest and enthusiasm for the NJC program. Trenkle would find his niche on the court at the three point line for the Plainsman where he was known for sinking clutch baskets.

Following one year of play at NJC, Trenkle played two seasons at Mesa State College in Grand Junction. At Grand Junction he played in the National tournament and both years played in the RMAC Title game falling to Metro State University. Coach Trenkle has used his background in basketball and his playing days to mold his coaching philosophy. He believes that kids should work hard and never take anything for granted. He also believes that graduating is the first and foremost reason to be in college, athletics is a distant second. Since Trenkle has come to NJC he has watched every kid move on to a 4 year school and be successful and receive their diplomas. He is very proud of NJC and what this school means to him and to his community.

Trenkle resides in Merino with his beautiful wife of 13 years, Catheryne and their three children; Faith 10 and Deacon 8 and Zavier 3.

Assistant Coach Steve Sosa

Information on Coach Soza will be posted once it becomes available.

Email: Steve.Soza@njc.edu
Phone: 970-521-6769