MOUNT PLEASANT, MI – Central Michigan is turning to an in-state coach to lead its men’s basketball program. Michigan native and Division II national champion Andy Bronkema has been named the 22nd coach in school history, Vice President/Director of Athletics Amy Folan announced Monday. He replaces Tony Barbee, who was fired after four seasons in Mount Pleasant on April 3. He will be introduced at 1 p.m. on Tuesday. A 19-year men’s basketball coaching veteran, Bronkema has spent the previous 12 years as the head coach at Ferris State University. While in Big Rapids, he won a national championship in 2018, claimed nine combined Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships, and guided the Bulldogs to nine NCAA tournament appearances. “Andy’s ability to raise a program to excellence and sustain it at the highest level is impressive,” Folan said. “He is a Michigan native who has built his whole career in this state and is well-respected in the coaching ranks at many levels.” “He is the perfect fit for what we need at Central Michigan and at this time in intercollegiate athletics. Excellence and innovation are qualities that a coach needs to be successful in this current collegiate environment.” Ferris State finished 25-9 overall and 14-6 in the GLIAC this past season and earned its fourth straight NCAA Division II Tournament appearance. In 2017-18, he led Ferris State to one of the most historic seasons in Division II men’s basketball history, posting a memorable 38-1 record in route to the title. Bronkema was a consensus choice as the National Coach of the Year. Ferris State confirmed his resignation on Monday. “Andy has been an incredible ambassador for Ferris State University and Bulldog Basketball and will be greatly missed,” said Ferris State Athletics Director Steve Brockelbank. “While we will miss his leadership, dedication and commitment, we’re excited for him and look forward to watching him at the D1 level. He has poured his heart and soul into our program and earned this opportunity. With all the success he’s had, Andy has helped make Ferris State one of the premier Division II men’s basketball programs in the country.” Bronkema takes over a CMU program that went 14-17 last season and hasn’t made the NCAA Tournament since 2002-03. “I want to thank Amy and President MacKinnon for the opportunity,” Bronkema said. “Through the process, our visions aligned well and I look forward to working with them. I’m excited about becoming a member of the Mount Pleasant community and putting a team on the floor that everyone can be proud of and enjoy.” Before earning the head coaching job at Ferris State, Bronkema served as the Bulldogs’ top assistant coach for six years from 2007-13. He was named interim head coach after the resignation of former head coach Bill Sall, who accepted the head coaching position at Northern Michigan. Before his arrival at Ferris, Bronkema was a standout at NAIA Division II Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids. Before college, he was a three-sport athlete at McBain High School in Missaukee County where he helped the basketball team win a state title in 2002. His father Joel, sister Emily Michalak, great grandmother and grandmother are all Central Michigan graduates, according to the school.