Patrick Rufener, who was on the bench during some of the most successful years of men’s basketball at The College of Wooster, returned to the Fighting Scots’ staff prior to the 2020-21 season. He previously was an assistant coach for seven years, starting with the 1999-00 season. Wooster posted a 180-28 record during Rufener’s first stint on staff, advanced to the semifinals of the 2003 NCAA Div. III Championships, won four North Coast Athletic Conference titles, and won four NCAC Tournaments.

Rufener, who played at Denison University (1992-94) and Huntington College (1989-91), took over the University of Akron-Wayne College’s women’s basketball program in 2006, and transitioned to men’s basketball head coach in 2009, where he stayed until 2013. Rufener had additional responsibilities as athletic director at Wayne from 2007-13 and he was a part-time instructor in Akron’s sport studies department. Additional coaching stops for Rufener include Marietta College (1998-99) and Lima Shawnee High School (1994-98).

Professionally, Rufener is a building materials wholesaler at Palmer-Donavin, and he’s a two-time salesperson of the year. Prior to his time at Akron and Wayne, Rufener was employed in the Norwayne school district and was an adjunct professor of psychology at North Central State Community College.

In addition to his bachelor’s degree from Denison, Rufener holds a master’s in leadership from Bellevue University.