Paul Grotelueschen is in his fourth season as head coach of the Trojan baseball program in 2016-17, where he has recorded a 43-95-1 record through three seasons. During his time at TIU, Grotelueschen has coached one NCCAA All-American, four NCCAA North Central All-Region Team members, five All-CCAC Team selections, four CCAC All-Academic Team members, two NAIA Scholar-Athletes, and the first CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-District Team recipient in program history.Â
Under Grotelueschen's guidance, the Trojan baseball program has seen steady improvements, posting their highest win total over the last six seasons last spring. A program-record five players were named to the All-CCAC Team in 2016, led by outfielder Jon Debowey, who was named an NCCAA All-American, Trinity's first in nearly a decade.
In January 2014, Grotelueschen was named head coach, and in his first season at the helm, the Trojans improved their win total by three victories from the previous season. Tony Guidone earned NAIA Scholar-Athlete and CCAC All-Academic Team honors in his senior season, while Andrew Grotelueschen and Adam Lange joined Guidone on the conference list.
In 2015, the Trojan offense greatly improved, recording the highest number of triples, home runs, RBIs, runs, and slugging percentage in five seasons. Junior catcher Adam Vignola was named to the NCCAA North Central All-Region Team, while Andrew Grotelueschen earned a spot on the CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-District Team and was an NAIA Scholar-Athlete.
Grotelueschen joined the TIU staff as pitching coach in 2012, after retiring from a 23 year career as an officer in the United States Air Force. A two sport letter winner at both Valparaiso University and Wartburg College, "Coach G" concluded his collegiate career leading Wartburg teams in touchdowns and receptions in football, and wins, saves, ERA (1.89) in baseball. Grotelueschen was named MVP, All-Conference and an NCAA All-District honoree, while earning the distinction of being named Wartburg's outstanding student athlete during his senior year.
Before entering the USAF, Grotelueschen embarked on an eight year international professional career playing and coaching baseball teams in both Holland and Italy, where his teams won two championships and four second place finishes.
Grotelueschen is a graduate of Walther Lutheran High School in Melrose Park, Ill., and a native of River Forest, Ill. Lt. Col. Grotelueschen USAF-R is a veteran of multiple combat operations, serving primarily as a Mission Crew Commander aboard the E3A (AWACS) surveillance aircraft.
"Coach G" lives in Round Lake, Ill. with his lovely wife Sherri. They have been married for 28 years and have been blessed with 7 children.
