Elkhart Times

Kyle Capps, alum and former assistant coach, named Goshen College’s new head men’s basketball coach

After conducting a national search, Kyle Capps has been named Goshen College's 16th head men's basketball coach, announced Director of Athletics Dr. Erica Albertin. 

A 2014 graduate of Goshen, Capps has served on the Maple Leafs' men's basketball staff from 2016-17 and 2020-22 as an assistant and then associate coach.

"Coach Capps brings an incredible passion for Goshen College and our basketball program," said Albertin. "I am excited for his leadership and where our team will go under Coach Capps. His ability to connect with people and bring out their best will improve our program."

A native of Mt. Clemens, Michigan, Capps received a bachelor's degree with an accounting major while at Goshen. He was a member of the men's basketball and track & field teams as a student-athlete, and participated in multiple campus clubs and groups, including the Black Student Union, Multicultural Affairs Corps and Serving With All Gifts men's group.

He described his transition from metro Detroit to Goshen as a culture shock where he had to adapt quickly and be immediately forced to grow. "Goshen College is a special place to me because I grew from a boy to a man here," said Capps. "I've seen three different eras of Goshen College basketball firsthand: as a player, a fan, and a coach. I believe there can be a balance here with sustained excellence on and off the court."

Upon graduating, Capps served as an assistant coach for the boy's varsity team at West Noble High School and the eighth-grade boy's coach at West Noble Middle School. He returned to Goshen College to serve as an assistant men's basketball coach for the 2016-17 season under head coach Neal Young. He also spent two years as the athletic director of the Boys & Girls Club of Middlebury.

Capps then joined the men's basketball staff at Siena Heights University for three seasons. He served as an assistant coach, recruiting coordinator and head junior varsity coach during his time there until Goshen called him back.

His second coaching stint at Goshen began in 2020 as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator on head coach Jon Tropf's staff. Before the 2021 season began, he was promoted to associate head coach. When Tropf resigned in April, Capps was announced as the interim head coach.

"I've learned from my time as an assistant that coaches must wear many different hats," said Capps. "The ability to go from coach to father figure to mentor is an important skill I've learned and can bring to the table." While a coach at Goshen, Capps has assisted with practices and game preparations, monitored study tables, helped plan in-game strategies, recruited, prepared budgets, and led off-season camps and clinics.

Capps becomes the first Goshen College alum to serve as head men's basketball coach since Jeff Birky, a 1979 graduate, was coach from 1987-1994.

The Maple Leafs begin their 67th season at the end of October. Capps will officially remove his interim title and become the head coach on July 1.

Goshen College is a renowned college in Indiana with award-winning programs that educate the head and heart, creating global citizens who lead with courage and compassion.

The Maple Leafs compete in 14 varsity sports in the NAIA's highly competitive Crossroads League and Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference, continuing a tradition of intercollegiate athletics that dates to 1956 and included women's competition nearly a decade before Title IX. For more information on GC athletics, visit www.GoLeafs.net and follow the Maple Leafs on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @GCMapleLeafs.

What They're Saying About Kyle Capps:

Jon Tropf, assistant men's basketball coach, Ohio Northern University

Head men's basketball coach, Goshen College, 2017-2022

"Kyle is a tremendously loyal and hardworking young coach who cares deeply about student-athletes. He is relational, organized, and loves seeing young men grow while in college. His experiences as a student-athlete only added to his ability to help young men grow. Kyle is a leader. He carries himself like a head coach every day — on and off the basketball court. He has the tactical experience necessary and a creative side to think outside the box when needed."

Neal Young, head men's basketball coach, Ohio Northern University

Head men's basketball coach, Goshen College, 2013-2017

"I've known Kyle since he was a junior in high school, and I think he would do a fantastic job as the next head coach at Goshen. Kyle has an incredible amount of energy, knows the ins and outs of the college and truly cares about the program on a deep level. He will dedicate significant time to pouring into the players and will be able to relate directly to their experiences as an alum. I truly feel he checks all the boxes needed to succeed at Goshen."

Robert Sanders, current player, Goshen College '23

"Coach Capps has been a great positive influence on my career in the last two years. His knowledge of the game has helped me become a more polished player and better equipped me to recognize reads on the floor. His energy, charisma, and love for the game have been consistent since I first met him. He has a heart for each one of his players."

^{Source: https://goleafs.net/news/2022/6/23/mens-basketball-kyle-capps-alum-and-former-assistant-coach-named-goshen-colleges-new-head-mens-basketball-coach.aspx}