Augustana College (IL) Head men’s basketball coach Jordan Delp has announced the elevation of Malik Wildermuth as top assistant coach entering the 2024-25 season.
“I am proud to announce the promotion of Malik to the head assistant role,” said Delp. “First and foremost, we strive to fill our program with phenomenal people, and having known Malik first as a player and now as a coach, I know he is just that.”
Wildermuth joined the Augustana men’s basketball program at the beginning of the 2022-23 season and has served as an assistant for the past two seasons, while also leading the junior varsity squad. He began coaching in 2018-19 as an assistant at Illinois College before moving on to Millikin in the same role. After returning to Illinois College, Wildermuth moved on to Marshalltown Community College, where he was an assistant with the men and the interim head coach for the women. Additionally, he has also coached with Midwest Prospect Academy AAU program. Wildermuth played college basketball at El Camino College before moving on to Carl Sandburg College. He finished his playing career with Central from 2016-18.
“Malik has embodied the ‘next man up’ mentality we hope our program is known for since his first day at Augustana, stepping up throughout a tumultuous season last year to serve our young men at a high level while helping us bring in a tough and talented recruiting class as we build for our future,” Delp added. “He has a passion for serving others, is a tireless worker, and brings a love for basketball that permeates our program. We are thrilled he has decided to stay home with us at Augustana College.”
Coach Delp has also finalized the rest of his staff entering the new season, announcing the retention of Kyle LaMonte, who joined prior to last season as an assistant. LaMonte enjoyed an illustrious playing career, spending 13 years overseas and competing at the professional level in 12 different countries. He has been a part of eight international and national championships and has been named Most Valuable Player on four occasions. He is a graduate of Davenport North High School and played collegiate basketball at Marshalltown before finishing his career at Southern Mississippi. Locally, he has coached AAU and high school and also works with individuals on player development.
“No one understands our player development model better than Coach LaMonte, and his lengthy professional playing career brings invaluable experiences and knowledge to our program,” said Delp. “We are lucky to have him back on our staff this year.”
Also joining the program as assistant coaches are Ryan Dieckman and Pat Doherty.
Dieckman began his coaching at the University of South Dakota as a graduate assistant coach from 1996-97. Upon returning home, he volunteered at Moline High School in 1998 at the sophomore boys’ basketball level as assistant coach and quickly became head sophomore coach the following year as well as assistant coach under Moline’s Frank Dexter and was part of the coaching staff that led the program to the Illinois High School Class AA Elite 8 in 2001. During that same time Ryan led sophomore teams to back-to-back Western Big 6 Conference champions. After a few years of coaching at Moline, Ryan took a break to coach all three boys in various youth basketball programs for the next 15 years or so before returning as an assistant coach under at Moline High School on sophomore and freshman teams from 2017-2024 and enjoyed watching the Maroons win the 2023 Illinois Class 4A State Championship under Moline coach Sean Taylor.
Doherty’s coaching experience includes three years as a student manager and JV coach at Loras College from 2017-2020. He then served as an assistant coach for Saint Mary’s University for the 2020-2021 season before a stint as an assistant coach for the North Central College men’s basketball program.
During the years of 2017-2023, Coach Doherty holds a record of 96-47, which includes a Sweet 16 appearance with Loras in 2018-2019. Coach Doherty also was the youth sports director for the YMCA of Iowa Mississippi Valley, where he ran a youth sports program of just over 1,000 kids. He fostered a positive and inclusive environment for children to learn, practice and play basketball.
“Coach Doherty has experience coaching in the CCIW and understands the preparation required to manage the rigors of our league, and Coach Dieckman brings a wealth of experience and an understanding of what matters both at Augustana and in our community,” added Delp. “I could not be more excited to have this group of phenomenal coaches and better men by my side as we begin this journey. Our student-athletes will be supported by a staff devoted to their growth and preparation on and off the court. Go Vikes!”
