Men's Basketball Coaches

Head Basketball Coach Jim Zeleznak

Jim Zeleznak is in his fifth season as the head men's basketball coach at St. Mary's University after serving as the assistant coach to legendary coach Buddy Meyer for 27 years. In his 19 years as either head coach of the men's basketball and softball teams, none have posted a losing record.

Zeleznak led the Rattlers to their best record to date as head coach last season. Despite fielding a squad that had just one returning starter, St. Mary's went 17-11 and finished the regular season with a seven game win streak. They finished the season ranked second in the Heartland Conference.

In 2007-2008, he helped lead the Rattlers to the Heartland Conference Tournament title and a 17-13 overall record. The Rattlers advanced to the NCAA South Central Region Tournament for the fourth time since moving to Division II in 2000.

Over his four years as Rattler head coach, 10 Rattlers have earned All-Heartland Conference honors, including Nick Morey and Curtis Mitchell, who both picked up the honor last season. Lorenzo Anthony was named Heartland Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2008 and 2009, while Rod Bellard earned Heartland Conference Freshman of the Year honors in 2006. Morey earned All-South Central Region honors in 2009.

During his time as the Rattlers assistant coach, St. Mary's compiled a 531-252 record. He served as the chief recruiter for the Rattlers and coach Meyer. In that role, he helped bring in some of the top players in school history, including All-Americans Ricky Hooker and Pete Hansen.

Upon Zeleznak's hire in 2005, Athletics Director Charlie Migl said, "Jim Zeleznak has been such a great coach for so many years. I think it is a great thing that he can continue the tradition and continue the success that he helped build."

During his time as assistant coach, the Rattlers made 14 National Tournament appearances, including trips to the NCAA Division II Tournament in the 2002-2003 season, the 2003-2004 season, and the 2004-2005 season, and won 16 conference titles. In 1989, the Rattlers captured the NAIA National Championship.

Zeleznak is one of two coaches at St. Mary's who has been the head coach of a national championship team (softball) and an assistant coach or player on another national championship team (basketball).

Zeleznak served as the head softball coach for 15 years. His teams had winning records every season, giving him a 401-184 record. During his tenure, the Rattlers advanced to the NAIA National Tournament 12 times, including 10 consecutive appearances. His teams won Big State and Heart of Texas Conference titles in 14 of his 15 years as coach. In 1986, he guided the Rattlers to St. Mary's first National Championship and was named the NAIA Softball Coach of the Year. As head softball coach, 19 of his players were recognized with All-American honors. Four more were named Academic All-American.

Prior to coming back to his alma mater to be a coach, Zeleznak was a coach at San Antonio's Holy Cross High School for three seasons.

Zeleznak played basketball for the Rattlers as a freshman, before switching his focus to coaching. He holds a bachelor's degree from St. Mary's and a master's degree from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University). Zeleznak is a native of Shawnee Mission, Kansas. He and his wife, Jennifer, have two children, John Patrick and Kaeleen Marie.

Assistant Basketball Coach Bubba Meyer

Herman A. "Bubba" Meyer III is in his ninth year as an assistant coach with the men's basketball team, but has spent his whole life in and around the Rattler Athletics Department.

During his eight years with the Rattlers, St. Mary's has posted a 134-95 overall record with three Heartland Conference titles and three trips to the NCAA Division II South Central Region Tournament.

Last season, despite fielding a squad that had just one returning starter, Meyers helped St. Mary's to a 17-11 record and they finished the regular season with a seven game win streak. They finished the season ranked second in the Heartland Conference.

His experience with the men's program began as a player in 1997. A four-year starter in the point guard position, Meyer led his team to two National Tournament appearances, including the Rattler's first trip to the NCAA Division II National Tournament in 2001.

He has helped Rattlers earn All-Heartland Conference honors 20 times over the last eight years, while one has earned Heartland Player of the Year honors, two have earned Defensive Player of the Year, three have picked up Freshman of the Year.

His talent and leadership were recognized with his appointment to numerous All-Tournament Teams as well as the 2000 All-Conference Team. Meyer was the recipient of the Brother Bill Siemer Free Throw Accuracy award and he led the team in the assist/turnover ratio four times for the Rattlers. In addition, he was selected by his teammates as the Most Valuable Player his senior year.

Meyer is the son of former Rattler coach Buddy Meyer, who was recently inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame. He is a 2001 graduate of St. Mary's University with a bachelor's degree in exercise and sport science. He graduated with a master's degree in education leadership from St. Mary's in 2004.

He is married to the former Vanessa Peterson. The couple have a son, Grayson, who was born on Sept. 11, 2007.

Assistant Basketball Coach Ian Ward

Ian Ward is in his fifth season as an assistant coach for the Rattler men's basketball program. He also serves as the men's and women's tennis coach.

Ward, a graduate of St. Mary's, works with recruiting, scouting opponents, game preparation and coaches the post players for the Rattlers.

He has helped the Rattlers post 64 wins, the Heartland Conference Championship and a berth in the NCAA Division II South Central Region Tournament in 2008.

Prior to returning to San Antonio, Ward was the varsity boy's basketball coach at Life Christian in LaMarque for four years.

Ward played for the Rattlers from 1994 to 1996, seeing action in 84 games. He scored 472 points and pulled down 520 rebounds, an average of 6.2 per game for his career. During his three years with the team, the Rattlers had a combined 63-27 record and advanced twice to the NAIA National Tournament.

A native of LaMarque, he attended high school in Irving where he was coached by St. Mary's University Hall of Famer Bob "Snake" LeGrand.

Ward is married to the former Marissa Vick. He has two children, Alexis and Isiah.

2009-10 Men's Basketball Roster