WARREN, Mich. - By day, Jay Ritchie teaches history, psychology, and sociology at De La Salle Collegiate. But after school, the veteran educator hits the hardwood at Macomb Community College where he is head women’s basketball coach for the Monarchs.

In 11 seasons, Ritchie has become the winningest coach in the program’s history. 

The Monarchs (26-0) are one of the top teams in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II. They are ranked No. 4 in the nation, and the only team to enjoy undefeated status. 

Further, his team is high scoring, averaging 99.4 points per game, with 14 games over the century mark. 

Ritchie expects his team to do well in the state tournament, and to head once again to the national championship, which, for the second straight year will be held in Port Huron, March 17-21. 

“My players are pretty talented to begin with,” he said. “My role is skill development, and fitting the pieces together.”  

Ritchie credits his assistants, who scout high school games two to three nights a week, and are expanding the Macomb recruitment effort into Ohio. 

It’s not unusual for four-year schools to be represented at his games. He is proud that most of his sophomores end up with multiple offers. 

“The girls are a little more selective in choosing their next school,” Ritchie said, “with more attention to academics than the basketball program.”

A 1980 graduate of Lakeview High School in Saint Clair Shores, Mich., Ritchie earned his college degree from the University of Detroit Mercy, and a master’s in health administration. He began his professional career with the Detroit Medical Center as a contract administrator. 

At the same time, he was coaching boys and girls basketball, with stops at Harper Woods, Lakeview, Center LIne, and Saint Clair Shores South Lake, as well as Grosse Pointe South where he coached the boys. He also coached tennis. 

When the girls season moved from fall to winter several years ago, Ritchie decided to stick with the girls’ teams.

He pursued his teaching certification in the 90s, through Saginaw Valley State University, and joined the South Lake faculty for three years. 

When Harper Woods Notre Dame closed in 2005, and De La Salle had an opening in its social studies department due to the influx of several Notre Dame students, Ritchie made the jump. 

“I knew De La Salle’s reputation,” he said. “I grew up with kids who attended De La Salle, and were high achievers. I was hired three days before school started in August, and never looked back.” 

Ritchie at one time coached De La Salle tennis, but that ended when his twin daughters, now 6 years old, came along. 

He is happy with his roles - as a teacher at De La Salle and as a coach - working with the young women on his team and preparing them for the next level of education. 

Greg Esler, head coach of De La Salle’s boys basketball team, knows Ritchie well, as the two have had more than a dozen meetings on the hardwood over the years. 

“Jay Ritchie has always gotten the most out of talent at every level,” Esler said. “He was an outstanding boys coach. What Jay has done with the ladies’ program at Macomb is amazing. He is a big-time coach.” 

The Monarchs, who defeated Oakland Community College, 78-47, on Wednesday, have three remaining regular-season games before they will play for the Michigan Community College Athletic Association Championship. Macomb will face the winner of the Western Conference on Feb. 29.