Success in life and basketball both require a team. The Grace University basketball program understands this and focuses on both. Whether your playing NAIA powerhouses or working on a projects in your community, team play is a must. We strive to develop young Christian Men with the basic fundamentals that will allow them to succeed both on the and off the court. This requires you to work together as a team, as a family. That is why the program aims to foster a family like atmosphere. At Grace University, the goal is to develop relationships that will allow you to work together as a team to accomplish your goals.

Thad Mott

Thad Mott came to Grace University in 2000 as the Assistant Coach before becoming Head Coach in 2002. As a college athlete, he was a four year, starting point guard for the UNO Mavericks.

In 1994, Mott married his wife Teresa, a former public school educator. They have three children: Emma, 11, Elijah, 9, and Esther, 4. Outside of basketball, Mott enjoys fishing, hunting, and camping in the great outdoors, spending time with his family, and swinging a hammer around the house.

As a junior at UNO, Mott came to know the Lord through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which changed the trajectory of his life. He graduated with two B.S. degrees: Civil Engineering and Secondary Education. During Mott’s tenure as Men’s Basketball Head Coach:

The Royal’s have competed in the Midwest Christian College Conference Tournament Championship seven times, and won four in a row.

The team also earned the Sportsmanship Award five times.

The Royal’s have won the NCCAA Div II Championship in 2008 and one team member received the Most Valuable Player Award.

Coach Mott was named the Coach of the Year in 2005, along with coaching six All-American’s and one Pete Maravich Award recipient in 2007. Coach Mott believes that faith, team unity, selflessness, fundamental skills, and common vision all play a part in the Royals’ success both on and off the court.