Head Coach, Michael Hootner
Michael Hootner, who played for Mesa College (CA) from 1988-1990, begins his second year as the Lady Olympians Head Coach.
During his first year, Hootner guided his team to a second place finish (10-4) in the Pacific Coast Conference. The 10 wins tied the school record for the second most conference wins in school history.
For the eight years prior to his current assignment, Hootner was the Associate Head Men's Basketball Coach at Mesa.
Prior to joing the Olympian's staff, Hootner served as an assistant at Goucher College (MD) from 1994-1999.
During Hootner's five years at Goucher, the Gophers went 100-38 while advancing to the NCAA Division III National Tournament three times, including three conference championships. In Hootner's final three campaigns, the Gophers had back-to-back-to-back 20 win seasons by going 23-6, 20-7 and 23-5. The final year resulted in a school record for most wins and fewest losses at 23-5. Hootner also coached three regional All-Americans and three Conference Players-of-the-Year.
In addition, Hootner also served as the Head Men's Tennis Coach for three years and Intramural Director for five.
During his three year stint as tennis coach, Hootner led his team to 12-6 and 16-3 records during his final two years. The 16-3 record, a school record for most wins and fewest losses, included a team regional #11 ranking.
Hootner's coaching career began in 1992 at Frostburg State University (MD), where he spent two full campaigns with the Bobcats. Hootner's teams went 17-12 and 15-12 during those two years while advancing to the ECAC Championship during the 1992-1993 campaign.
Coach Hootner has also worked and directed several summer basketball camps including, the Philadelphia 76ers, Metro-Index All-Stars, Syracuse University , University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), Mike Dunleavy, University of California at Irvine , and the Nike All-Star Basketball Camp.
Following his two-year stint as a player at Mesa , Hootner transferred to Goucher College to play on the first team in the history of the program. Hootner averaged 13.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3 assists per contest in route to being named team MVP.
Hootner earned his A.A. degree in Journalism from Mesa College , his B.A. in Communication from Goucher College and his Master's Degree in Health and Physical Education from Frostburg State University.
Hootner also serves as the Head Men's Tennis Coach at Mesa while teaching Health Education, Physical Education, and Exercise Science classes at Mesa College and Grossmont College.
Hootner, originally from Detroit , Michigan, lives in San Diego. He has a stepson, Ethan Simley Jr. and is engaged to Jennifer Simley.
Assistant Coach, Dan Bruton
Coach Bruton, who begins his second year on Coach Hootner’s staff brings a wealth of knowledge to the players, on and off the court. Bruton, who owns his own marketing firm, currently works with high profile professional athletes in the NBA, NFL, as well as a number of corporate businesses such as Fatheads LLC.
Prior to starting his own company, Bruton worked for The Upper Deck Company where he was the Vice President of Marketing. During his time with Upper Deck, Bruton’s marketing team managed exclusively the image, likeness and signature for Michael Jordan, Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant.
Despite having a great deal of success off the court, Bruton wanted to give something back to a sport he loves and once played in college. "I wanted to give back to this wonderful game that has been so good to me over the years," said Bruton. "I love college basketball and hope I can share some of the lessons that I have learned along the way with our student-athletes."
After playing scholastically at St. Laurence High School in Chicago, Bruton went on to play varsity basketball at St. Mary’s University from 1981-1983, as well as for Ealing College in London, England, in 1984, where his team won the International Sports Tournament in Paris, France.
Coach Bruton was an Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach here at Mesa from 2002-2004. This is where he and Coach Hootner first met.
"Dan is a tremendous communicator and has a great understanding of the game," said Head Coach Michael Hootner.
Prior to his arrival at Mesa, Dan coached at University High School in Chicago, Illinois, during the 1998-1999 campaign, where the Lady Maroons finished 18-6, including a conference championship.
Bruton is a graduate of St. Mary's University in Winona, Minnesota, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Management in 1985. He later went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Loyola of Chicago in 1987.
Bruton, a Chicago native, currently makes his home here in San Diego.
Shannon Schiele, Assistant Coach
Coach Schiele will begin her first year as Assistant on Coach Hootner's staff after spending two years in the Chiungutwa Village in Tanzania, Africa, as a United States Peace Corps Educator.
"My experiences with the people in Tanzania were something I'll never forget. I will miss my time there a great deal but am eternally grateful for the opportunity I was given," said Schiele.
Coach Schiele known for her enthusiasm, determination, and work ethic will be working with the guards while assuming some of the recruiting responsibilities.
Prior to her time abroad, Shannon was finishing her undergraduate degree at Linfield College where she graduated with honors while earning her Bachelor's Degree in Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood and Elementary Education.
While at Linfield, Shannon played basketball and ran track for two years. She won the "Coaches Award" in 2004, the basketball team's highest award.
Prior to transferring to Linfield, Schiele was a two-sport standout at Mesa. She wasvoted All-Conference in 2002 as a member of the volleyball team while being named Women's Basketball Player-of-the-Year in the Pacific Coast Conference in 2002-03. She graduated in 2003 from Mesa with honors.
During her scholastic days at El Cajon Valley High School, Schiele played varsity volleyball, basketball, and softball while running track. She was All-Conference in volleyball and basketball while earning the Gold Glove Award as the Braves left fielder.
She graduated in 2001 with honors while receiving the Physical Education Recognition Scholarship Award.
In addition to her responsibilities with the Women's Basketball team, Schiele will be working with Coach Kim Lester as the Assistant Women's Volleyball Coach.
"I am excited to come back to Mesa and give back to the two programs that I was a part of during my time at Mesa. I look forward to working with people who share a love for the great games of volleyball and basketball," concluded Schiele.
Schiele lives in San Diego.