The University of Minnesota Crookston athletic department announced the hiring of Bryan Beamish as head men’s basketball coach. Beamish first came to Minnesota Crookston as an assistant coach prior to the 2014-15 season and has spent the last four seasons as associate head coach.
“We are very excited to announce Bryan Beamish as the next head coach of the Minnesota Crookston men’s basketball program,” said Director of Athletics Stephanie Helgeson. “Bryan is someone who has impressed us over the last eight years on staff. He values building lasting bonds with the men’s basketball student-athletes and is well respected by our campus community. He was overwhelmingly endorsed by our current and former men’s basketball student-athletes. He has proven to be a great recruiter, and spends countless hours in the gym and out of it working to develop student-athletes. We can’t wait to see him grow in his new role as the leader of our men’s basketball program.”
During his time as an assistant coach at UMN Crookston, Beamish recruited nationally and internationally, with focus areas in Wisconsin and Minnesota. He was pivotal in landing the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) and UMN Crookston’s all-time leading scorer Harrison Cleary. Beyond recruiting, on-floor coaching, individual instruction and scouting reports, Beamish also helped lead youth and team camps, as well as leading the squad’s community service work and coordinating academic support. In this role, he has helped the team earn GPAs above 3.0 in multiple academic years.
“I am humbled and honored to be named the next head coach at the University of Minnesota Crookston,” Beamish stated. “I would like to thank Chancellor Mary Holz-Clause, Athletic Director Stephanie Helgeson and the search committee for believing in the vision I have for the men’s basketball program. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the support of my family, previous coaches I have worked for, as well as current and former players. I am very thankful to be in this position and look forward to getting to work with our current roster with the goal of building something special.”
On the court success for UMN Crookston over Beamish’s eight seasons as an assistant included a magical run during the 2018-19 postseason, when the Golden Eagles upset Augustana University on their home court to propel UMN Crookston to its first-ever appearance in the NSIC/Sanford Health Basketball Tournament quarterfinals.
During his time as an assistant coach, the Golden Eagles have sent seven players into professional basketball at some level, including Cleary, Javier Nicolau, and Ibu Jassey-Demba, who all competed in Spain last season. Beamish helped Cleary to All-American nods in 2017-18 and 2019-20, as well as NSIC Freshman of the Year in 2016-17 and three All-NSIC First Team selections. Additionally, Beamish aided Gable Smith to NSIC Defensive Player of the Year accolades during the 2017-18 season.
Prior to arriving at UMN Crookston in 2014, Beamish spent one season as a graduate assistant under Head Coach Jim Larranaga at the University of Miami during the 2013-14 season. Prior to Miami, Beamish spent two seasons under Head Coach Lance Randall at NCAA Division II affiliate Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, Fla., helping the Lions to the NCAA Tournament in 2012 and 2013. The 2012-13 season marked the first 20-win season in program history and Beamish’s two years on staff were the first back-to-back winning seasons for the Lions in 27 years.
He started his coaching career at his alma mater, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, during the 2010-11 season. He helped the Pointers to a No. 1 national ranking during the season, during which they won the 2011 WIAC Regular-Season and Tournament Championships. Beamish helped lead the Pointers to the NCAA Tournament, making their way to the Sweet 16.
He was a highly decorated player for Wisconsin-Stevens Point before commencing his coaching career. Beamish was a three-time All-WIAC player, earning first team accolades twice. Beamish helped lead the team to three NCAA Tournaments. As a sophomore, the Pointers were WIAC regular-season and tournament champions, making it to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. As a junior, he helped guide the team to a second round appearance at the NCAA Tournament. As a senior, the Pointers again made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, after earning WIAC regular-season and tournament championships. Beamish was a two-year captain and two-year MVP.
Beamish earned a Master of Business Administration from Saint Leo University in sports business. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in interpersonal and organizational communication from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He is a native of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., and resides in Crookston, Minn. His grandfather, Bob Krueger, was the head coach for the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point from 1962-75, where he is in the school’s Hall of Fame.
