Meyer Named 17th Head Men's Basketball Coach in Rattler History

SAN ANTONIO – As someone who's been involved with St. Mary's University Men's Basketball since birth, it's no surprise that Executive Director of Athletics Robert Coleman announces Herman A. "Bubba" Meyer III (B.A. '01, M.A. '04) as the next Head Men's Basketball Coach.
 
Meyer becomes the 17th head coach in history, though only the fourth in 60 years as he follows the longest-tenured and winningest coaches in Rattler history in Ed Messbarger (1964-1978), his father Buddy Meyer (B.A. '65) (1978-2005) and Jim Zeleznak (B.A. '79) (2005-2023).
 
"I would like to thank President Tom Mengler and Robert Coleman for the opportunity to lead the Men's Basketball program," Bubba Meyer said. "Following in Coach Zeleznak and my dad's footsteps on the sideline has been a lifelong dream. Coach Z has been an incredible example of loyalty and dedication to the program and St. Mary's."
 
"I am very happy for Bubba as we transition him into being the Head Coach of our Men's Basketball program," Coleman said. "I know he is thankful for this opportunity and is aware of the challenge and effort necessary to move our program forward and achieve the goals we have talked about at great length. We have a very rich history of Men's Basketball at St. Mary's. We will begin the process, working together, in writing the next chapter of Rattler Basketball."
 
Bubba Meyer grew up watching his father, Buddy coach the Rattlers for 27 years and he played for his dad, earning All-Conference honors in 2000, as well as the Brother Bill Siemer Free Throw Accuracy Award. He also led the team in assist-to-turnover ratio all four seasons and was selected by his teammates as the Most Valuable Player in his senior campaign. Buddy Meyer died in February 2022.
 
"Obviously I've known Bubba since he was born," said Zeleznak, the most recent Men's Basketball coach. "He's been involved from everything to player, graduate assistant all the way to associate head coach. He's definitely put both the time and effort into being the next head coach."
 
"I have always said the basketball program is like an additional sibling to me," Meyer said. "I grew up in Alumni Gym and on this campus. The ex-players are like big brothers and uncles to me."
 
Meyer graduated from St. Mary's in 2001 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 was the starting point-guard all four years and helped lead his team to two national tournament appearances, including the Rattlers' first trip to the NCAA Division II National Tournament in 2000-2001.
 
Meyer moved to the sidelines as an assistant coach in 2001 before being promoted to Associate Head Coach on June 1, 2020.

"Bubba has an innate ability to connect and build relationships with the student-athletes of today and, once we build out our staff, we will begin the process of building the culture and the passion necessary for becoming a championship program," Coleman said. 
 
"Over the last few seasons, Bubba has been involved with every aspect of the program from recruiting to game planning, practice execution to travel," said Zeleznak. "It should be a great resource for him as he transitions to being the head coach."
 
"I absolutely love St. Mary's and have seen with my own eyes this incredible institution change lives for the better," Meyer said. "It is truly a place that builds servant leaders and has a true sense of community. I can't wait to get started and build off the legacy the previous head coaches have established. This is a dream come true to me to continue coaching at St. Mary's."