“Dirt” season is finally upon us!  Here are a few things that I’ve heard from some small colleges as their seasons wind down…

• Minnesota West Community & Technical College head coach Justin Heckenlaible has resigned.  He had been the head coach at the school for the past 14 seasons and was voted MCAC Coach of the Year in 2011 and 2013.  He will remain at the school as an instructor.  No word yet on the search.

• Sherry Dobbs Jr. is out as the head coach at DIII SUNY Potsdam.  He had just completed his 13th season at the helm and wraps up his career with a 129-212 record (1-24 this past season).  There has been no official announcement from the school on his departure, but we have already acquired the job posting: Head Coach – SUNY Potsdam.

• I can confirm that Dave Sokolnicki has resigned as the head coach at Great Bay CC (NH).  Sokolnicki was named as the schools first-ever men’s basketball coach back in March 2015. Prior to his time at GBCC, he spent 13 seasons as the head coach at DIII Nichols College where he left as the all-time winningest coach in program history.

• Fayetteville Tech (NC) is in the final stages of their search for a men’s basketball coach.  They will be a first-year program next year competing at the NJCAA DII level.  I have heard that they have narrowed their search down to five candidates and sounds like a decision will be made shortly.

• Our list of coaching changes at all levels is starting to grow.  It will be updated as changes happen.  You can view the complete list HERE.

• ICYMI: Week 15 HoopDirt.com Coach of the Week presented by The Hoop Group winners can be found HERE.