Whartnaby brings a variety of golf knowledge to the job. During the summer months he works at Village Green golf course in Moorhead, Minn.

Prior to working with the Cobbers, John was the Head Boy's Basketball Coach and Athletic Director at Shanley High School in Fargo.

Besides his experience locally, he also brings a wealth of coaching experience from outside the area. He has held head coaching positions at Westtown School and Hawthorne College. He has also been the assistant at Widener University, Swarthmore College and the Philadelphia Aces of the USBL.

He is a graduate of Temple University and holds a Masters Degree in Education. In addition to his basketball duties, John also teaches in the Physical Education Department at Concordia College, is the assistant men's basketball coach at Concordia and is the Dean of Students at Oak Grove Lutheran Middle School.

John lives in Fargo with his wife Jannine and their two children, David and Sarah.