Patrick Grubbs was named the head men's basketball coach at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown on July 1,2026, becoming the 16th Head Coach in program history after serving as one of the Mountain Cats' most respected and influential assistant coaches under longtime head coach Bob Rukavina.
A Pitt-Johnstown alumnus and one of the most accomplished student-athletes in program history, Grubbs enters his first season at the helm after helping build the foundation of one of the most successful stretches in Mountain Cat basketball. During his tenure as an assistant coach, he played a vital role in every aspect of the program, including recruiting, player development, scouting, game planning, alumni engagement, fundraising, and day-to-day basketball operations.
Grubbs was instrumental in leading Pitt-Johnstown to multiple Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament appearances, highlighted by the program's berth in the 2022-23 NCAA Division II Tournament. Recognized as one of the program's top recruiters and developers of talent, he helped mentor numerous All-PSAC, All-Atlantic Region, and All-America performers while establishing a culture centered on toughness, accountability, and competitive excellence.
His recruiting efforts consistently attracted high-level student-athletes who fit the Mountain Cat culture and contributed to the program's sustained success. Among his most notable signees were NCAA Division II All-American John Paul Kromka, Pitt-Johnstown's all-time assists leader Fred Mulbah, and All-Atlantic Region selection Baden Forup. Under Grubbs' guidance, nine student-athletes earned All-Conference honors, reflecting his commitment to individual development and team success.
Grubbs returned to his Alma Mater after spending the 2013-14 season as a Post-Graduate Assistant Coach at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, where he worked alongside nationally recognized coaches and elite high school prospects. Prior to that opportunity, he began his coaching career as a student assistant for the Mountain Cats during the 2012-13 season immediately following his collegiate playing career.
As a player, Grubbs established himself as one of the premier forwards in NCAA Division II and remains among the most decorated players in Pitt-Johnstown history. He is the program's all-time leading rebounder with 996 career rebounds and ranks fifth in school history with 1,759 career points. A four-year starter, he helped lead the Mountain Cats to the 2009 WVIAC Tournament Championship and an NCAA Division II Tournament appearance during his freshman season.
Grubbs concluded his career with numerous individual honors, earning NABC Top-25 All-America and Basketball Times All-America recognition as a senior after receiving Sporting News Preseason Honorable Mention All-America honors entering the 2011-12 campaign. A two-time All-West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection and First-Team All-WVIAC honoree in 2010-11, he finished among the nation's top 10 in field goal percentage three times, including leading all of NCAA Division II at 66.3 percent during the 2009-10 season. His career field goal percentage of 64.7 percent remains one of the highest in program history.
Among his career highlights, Grubbs scored a career-high 32 points against Clarion on Dec. 7, 2009, grabbed 18 rebounds against Davis & Elkins on Jan. 17, 2011, and recorded six assists on three occasions. He helped establish one of the winningest eras in Mountain Cat basketball while earning a reputation as one of the most efficient and productive frontcourt players in Division II.
A native of Turtle Creek, Pa., Grubbs graduated from Serra Catholic High School before earning his Bachelor’s Degree in History from Pitt-Johnstown in 2013.
Grubbs and his dog, Judah, reside in the Johnstown area.
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