Schaetzle begins his fifth season as a member of the Gannon coaching staff in 2015-16. He begins his fourth campaign as a full-time assistant after serving as a voluntary coach in 2011-12. He came to Gannon after spending the previous four years as a member of the cross-town rival Mercyhurst baseball team, where he served as the team captain and helped the Lakers win the 2011 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championship. The squad won PSAC Western Division titles twice during Schaetzle's playing days in 2009 and 2011. He was also a Mercyhurst scholar-athlete during his collegiate experience.
The Erie, Pa., native worked the Hoop Group Elite Basketball Camp and the Hoop Group West Virginia Jam Fest during the summer of 2011. Schaetzle's basketball experience includes working the Villanova University Men's Basketball Camp (2010), being the video scout for the Mercyhurst Prep (Pa.) High School Boys Basketball Team (2010), helping set up and run the nationally-acclaimed McDonald's High School Basketball Classic (2007-08) and working the Penn State Behrend Basketball Camp (2007).
“Thurman's tremendous work ethic and passion for the game makes him deserving of this position,” said Reilly upon his full-time hiring. “He understands that coaching is a lifestyle and not a hobby. Thurman will be involved in all aspects of our program and we're excited to have him as part of the coaching staff and a member of the Gannon community.”
Schaetzle was a two-sport athlete at Mercyhurst Prep (Pa.) High School, being a member of the school's basketball and baseball teams. He served as a team captain for both teams in 2007 and helped the basketball team win the District 10 championship in 2006. As a senior, he was awarded the Mercyhurst Prep Sister Maura Smith award. The honor is given to a student-athlete who possesses great character while displaying excellence in athletics, in the classroom and in sportsmanship.
“I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity given to me by Coach Reilly and Gannon University,” said Schaetzle upon his arrival. “To be part of a strong basketball program and tradition such as Gannon will be a great experience.”
Schaetzle, whose father Marty is the Mercyhurst University head football coach, graduated from Mercyhurst in 2011 with a bachelor's degree in history.
