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Analysis: Names to watch for DWU men's basketball coach opening

marcus traxler, the daily republic, mitchell, s.d.
·4 min read

Mar. 29—MITCHELL — For the first time in more than a decade, the Dakota Wesleyan University men's basketball program is in need of a new coach.

With Matt Wilber departing for a job with the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, the Tigers are looking for new leadership. Where exactly the Tigers will go with a new coach remains to be seen but like any good coaching search, it's a chance to consider some new names and possible candidates. And DWU is a desirable college basketball job, both in the region and throughout the NAIA, in part because it's supported better than most basketball programs in the division.

Yes, this list is speculative, with some educated guesses about names that the Tigers will consider or should consider. The following options are listed in alphabetical order.

Jacob Brandl, McCook (Neb.) Community College head coach: Brandl was the longest-tenured assistant coach under Wilber, working on the staff for eight years before getting the head coaching job at McCook in 2020. In four seasons, his teams have been 47-72, but few potential candidates likely know the DWU job better.

Bryan Forbes, Briar Cliff assistant: Forbes is the top assistant for the Chargers after excelling for BCU on the court through 2017, scoring more than 1,700 points, winning GPAC defensive player of the year and winning four all-GPAC honors during his career. With Division I experience as a graduate assistant at East Tennessee State, he represents a candidate who knows the conference and the recruiting territory well and can resonate with the athletes coming into the program.

Casey Kasperbauer, University of South Dakota assistant coach: Kasperbauer excelled at USD as a player and has helped develop players as a coach under Eric Peterson. Kasperbauer also has experience in skill development, running a program from an operations standpoint and played professionally for a period in the Republic of Georgia. DWU could be a great chance for a rising young coach to get an opportunity to lead his own program.

Colton Kooima, Northwestern assistant coach: Kooima is a former GPAC legend and two-time All-American guard who has built up a solid coaching resume since his playing days ended in 2018. He also has experience outside the conference, with two years as an assistant at Vanguard (Calif.) prior to three seasons on the Red Raider bench. From experience, Kooima could be a great asset in coaching and continuing the Tigers' tradition of top-tier guards.

Jordan Mast, Antelope Valley (Calif.) coach: Mast is worth a call, in part

because his school closed on him in the middle of the season

and Mast — a former walk-on at Gonzaga University under coach Mark Few — led a fundraising effort to allow his nationally competitive team to finish the season at NAIA tournament. The on-court results for the Pioneers were still impressive, as Antelope Valley was 26-5 this season and averaged 23 wins over the past three seasons.

Sam Nicholson, current DWU assistant coach: Nicholson deserves a look, considering he's been an assistant coach at both DWU and Dakota State, and has worked previously at Concordia St. Paul and the University of South Dakota. The Tiger role would be his first head-coaching job.

Terrell Newton, Sanford Sports Academy basketball coach: The former Tiger was on Wilber's coaching staff for two seasons before catching on with Sanford in May 2023. Newton played two seasons with DWU in 2015 and 2016, playing on national tournament qualifying teams and was an all-GPAC selection in 2016. He was also previously girls basketball coach and athletic director in Miller.

Derek Robey, O'Gorman head coach: Might this be the chance for the Mitchell native to come home and coach in the Corn Palace? Robey has been leading the vaunted O'Gorman boys basketball program since 2006, guiding the Knights to six state titles. If he's looking for a new challenge, DWU would be a worthwhile effort because Robey has shown he can coach and connect with players. He was also a finalist when Wilber got the job.

Ryan Tegtmeier, Concordia (Neb.) assistant coach: Tegtmeier is another possibility of a GPAC assistant with a successful program that knows the conference and its territory very well. He played at Morningside, previously was an assistant coach at former GPAC school Nebraska Wesleyan and just finished his third season as the lead assistant for the Bulldogs, who have been leading the way in the conference standings in that time.

Darren Tighe, Dakota State head coach: Normally, it wouldn't make sense to put an active head coach of a rival on this list, but the circumstances at Dakota State are uncertain without a set conference in the future with the North Star Athletic Association folding. Tighe has head coaching experience at Mayville State before leading the Trojans to a 17-13 record this season and the Tigers probably can be competitive with his current $63,000 salary.