Eric Podbelski

Biography

Eric Podbelski is in his first season as the associate head coach of the Bears’ in 2026. With nearly three decades of collegiate head coaching experience under his belt, Podbelski came to College Hill in July 2025 to join Frank Holbrook’s staff, who was one of his former players at Wheaton. Podbelski served as the head coach at Wheaton for the first 28 years of the program’s existence, starting with its inaugural season in 1998. During his tenure, he posted an 817-342-5 overall record, the 15th-most wins among active Division III coaches as of 2025, while his .704 winning percentage was seventh-best among active coaches. The Lyons also never had a losing season during that time, qualifying for all 25 NEWMAC postseason Tournaments, three 40+ win seasons and 14 campaigns with at least 30 victories. A model of consistency and excellence in his 28 seasons, Podbelski’s squads captured at least a share of 21 NEWMAC regular season titles, 17 tournament championships, made 18 NCAA Tournaments, and four trips to the Division III College World Series, including a pair of national runner-up finishes in 2006 and 2012. Wheaton earned at least a share of the NEWMAC regular season crown 17 years in a row, with Podbelski earning 12 NEWMAC Coach of the Year/Staff of the Year honors, six NEIBA Coach of the Year honors, and was selected as the regional coach of the year five times. Podbelski coached 114 All-NEWMAC selections, as well as 132 all-region honorees and 21 All-Americans. Sixteen of h

Career Path