HOLLAND, Mich. — September 4th, 2024 - West Ottawa Athletics is excited to announce that Jay Ritchie has been hired as the new Varsity Girls Basketball Coach at West Ottawa High School. Mr. Ritchie takes over for Paul Chapman, who retired from coaching after last year's State Quarterfinals run. After a statewide search that involved interviews with several candidates, Mr. Ritchie emerged as the right fit for the future of West Ottawa Girls Basketball. Mr. Ritchie has spent the last 15 years coaching Macomb Community College Women’s Basketball. As Head Coach of the Monarchs, Ritchies teams went 301-114, winning 5 conference championships, 4 Region XII Championships, and earned 5 berths to the NJCAA National Championship Tournament, which is comprised of 16 teams. “What excites me the most about coaching the girls’ varsity team is the potential for the program,” said Mr. Ritchie. “With the commitment to the student-athlete that the district has made in Panther Pathways, I strongly believe that West Ottawa is a sleeping giant in girls’ basketball. I have spent the last 15 years as the Head Women's Coach at Macomb College, it was a great experience working with the quality assistant coaches that I had over the years, and working with players who were committed to the game. People should expect to see our teams play smart, hard, and unselfish basketball.” He coached 4 NJCAA Division II All-Americans and over 100 players earned All-Conference of All-Region honors during his tenure. He coached 5 Conference Defensive Players of the Year, 4 Conference Players of the Year, and 3 Conference Freshman of the Year winners. Coach Ritchie also garnered 14 various Coach of the Year honors. Mr. Ritchie was a dual-sport champion in his playing days for the Monarchs, helping his teams win Conference and/or State Championships in both Men’s Basketball and Tennis from 1981-1983. “We are excited for Jay Ritchie to join our West Ottawa family,” commented Athletics Director Bill Kennedy. “Our program has some momentum coming off of the accomplishments of the last few seasons under Coach Chapman, and we firmly believe that Coach Ritchie can build off of the past success for an outstanding future for our program.” West Ottawa wants to particularly thank Mr. Paul Chapman for his time with West Ottawa Girls Basketball. West Ottawa is proud to welcome Jay Ritchie into his new role of Head Varsity Basketball Coach.