Carthage College Athletics

Pat Ambrose joins the Firebirds coaching staff for the 2026-27 season following a successful high school coaching career.

Ambrose spent 24 seasons (1999-2023) as the head coach at Stevenson High School. During that time, the Patriots never posted a losing season, won at least seventeen games in 21 of those 24 seasons, and compiled an overall record of 505-191. He led the Patriots to a State Championship in 2015, made three additional final four appearances, and claimed eleven regional and five sectional titles. Ten players Ambrose has coached have gone on to play professionally, including NBA star Jalen Brunson, while numerous others have competed at the collegiate level. 

Before starting his coaching career, Ambrose graduated from fellow CCIW member Augustana College ('91) where he lettered in basketball all four years. He resides in Kildeer, Illinois with his wife Traci. Their sons, Matthew and Evan, also had successful playing careers at the DII and DIII level, and have now transitioned into coaching careers at Purdue Fort Wayne (Matthew) and Arkansas Little Rock (Evan).