Aquinas College

Brad Koch originally joined the Aquinas Athletic Department prior to the 2008 season and serves as the head coach of the AQ softball program. Koch was an assistant for nine years before being named the head coach prior to the 2017 season. Brad is the ninth coach in the history of the Aquinas softball program. 

Over his eight years as the head coach, Koch has put together an incredible record for the Saints. He has a career record of 262-115-1 with a .693 winning percentage. In 2024, Koch surpassed Crystal Laska as the winningest coach in the history of Aquinas softball. Coach Koch led the Saints to a 42-win season in 2024 with those 42 wins tying AQ's all-time record for the most wins in a season. In the process, Aquinas won it's first NAIA National Tournament games against both Middle Georgia State and Rio Grande. 

The Saints have won two WHAC regular season titles under Koch (2021, 2018) and one WHAC Tournament (2021). AQ has also appeared at the NAIA Nationals in both 2021 and 2024. Aquinas has never had a losing season under the direction of Koch and has never finished any lower than fifth in the WHAC regular season standings. His incredible run as the Saints manager includes two WHAC Coach of the Year trophies (2018, 2021). 

AQ's accomplished coach has also led many successful players on the field, including one WHAC Player of the Year, two Newcomers of the Year, 23 First-Team All-Conference Athletes, 22 Second-Team All-Conference Athletes, and 12 Gold Gloves. 

The Saints have seen just as much success off the field as they have on the field under Koch's guidance. Over the past eight seasons, AQ has had 77 all-conference scholar athletes, averaging nearly nine scholar-athletes per season. 

Prior to taking over head coaching duties, he served as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator for three years and assistant coach for six years for Aquinas. 

In addition to his work on the Aquinas staff, he brings numerous softball coaching experiences to the table. He was the first assistant coach at Grand Rapids Community College for five years from 2003-2007 and the varsity coach at Kenowa Hills High School for five years from 1998-2002. 

Coach Koch also co-owns and runs Blue Chip Softball which puts on youth softball camps and tournaments here in Michigan. In addition, he coached the Grand Rapids Blaze 18U elite travel team for five years during the summer from 1999-2003.

He has a daughter Abby and resides in Grand Rapids with his wife Trish. In his free time, he enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors.