Dan Kratz joined the West Texas A&M men’s basketball program as an Assistant Coach in August of 2014 and will enter his fifth season with the program in 2018-19. Previously, he was the Head Freshman Boys’ Basketball Coach at Waukesha West High School in Waukesha, Wisc. as well as the Varsity Assistant Coach for one year.
Kratz has embraced his multi-faceted, behind-the-scenes role with WT as he has aided WT Men’s basketball find exceptional success both on and off the court. Kratz helped assist the Buffs to a Sweet Sixteen finish in 2016-17 as well as the greatest run in WT Basketball history during the 2017-18 season in which the Buffs finished the season with a 32-4 overall record, a Lone Star Conference Title, and an appearance in WT’s first ever NCAA D2 Final Four; leading to multiple post season awards for both WT players and head coach Tom Brown.
He played for Coaches Tom Brown and Chris Gove at Winona State from 2008-2010 before transferring to Carroll University in Waukesha.
At Carroll in 2011-12, Kratz helped lead the Pioneers to a conference tournament championship. His team was the first ever fourth to win the Midwest Conference Tournament. That year, they made it to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Division III Tournament. During the 2012-13 season at Carroll, Kratz’ team recorded the seconded-highest win total ever at the school, going 18-7 and advancing to the conference tournament championship.
Kratz earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Carroll University in 2013 and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Psychology from West Texas A&M. Kratz is earning hours towards the title of Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) through a sport psychology practicum on campus working with collegiate and local athletes in the area. Kratz has experience consulting in the areas of goal setting, imagery, mindfulness, stress and anger management, effective communication, and transition out of sport. Kratz has presented at multiple venues regarding atypical careers in sport psychology and how to effectively advocate for collegiate athletes.
Kratz is currently an Assistant Director of Recreational Sports at WT, coordinating all Intramural and Club Sport activities on campus.
