The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Intercollegiate Athletics Department has named Kent Dernbach as its interim men’s basketball head coach for the 2017-18 season. He has served as associate head coach at UW-Stevens Point since 2011. Dernbach was the Pointers’ interim head coach for the last 13 games of the 2016-17 season, leading the team to an 8-5 record.
“I could not be more excited to seize this unique opportunity and be named the next head men’s basketball coach at UW-La Crosse,” said Dernbach. “Having followed the WIAC my entire life, in addition to the familiarity I have gained over the past six years, has led to a great deal of admiration for UWL. I am confident we can continue to build a program our alumni, community and University will feel a strong sense of pride in for the foreseeable future.”
UW-Stevens Point made four straight National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Tournament appearances from 2012-15 and captured the national championship in 2014-15. The Pointers won three consecutive Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) titles from 2013-15.
“I am so impressed with Kent’s passion for working with these young men and how that translates into the game of basketball,” said UWL Director of Athletics Kim Blum. “Kent has a wealth of experience as a coach that enables him to move our program forward immediately. His familiarity with the WIAC will only add to the smoothness of this transition.”
Dernbach aided in the development of 14 All-WIAC selections at UW-Stevens Point as well as five all-defensive players. He created the Junior Pointers program for area youth and was the assistant camp director for all resident and commuter camps.
Prior to arriving at UW-Stevens Point, Dernbach was the director of basketball operations and an assistant coach at Northern Illinois University from 2009-11. He served as director of basketball operations at George Mason University (Va.) from 2007-09 as the Colonials posted back-to-back 20-wins seasons. George Mason (Va.) captured the 2007-08 Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Tournament Championship advanced to the NCAA Division I Tournament. Dernbach was an assistant coach at Marymount University (Va.) from 2005-07.
A native of Almond, Wisconsin, Dernbach earned his bachelor’s degree in sport management and psychology from Carthage College (Wis.) in 2004 and completed his master’s degree in physical activity and educational services from The Ohio State University in 2006.
He was a two-year letter winner at Carthage (Wis.) as the Red Men went 46-8 overall and won a pair of College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Championships. Carthage (Wis.) finished third in the 2002 NCAA Division III Tournament.
After his playing career, Dernbach was an assistant boys’ basketball coach at North Central High School (Salem, Wis.) in 2003-04 and at Whetstone High School (Columbus, Ohio) in 2004-05.
“I want to thank Kim Blum for the trust she has shown in me and welcoming our family to the Eagle community,” added Dernbach. “Her vision for the UWL Athletics Department enhanced this position even more.”
UW-La Crosse opens its 2017-18 season Friday, November 10 at UW-Milwaukee in an exhibition game. The Eagles start regular-season action Wednesday, November 15 at Luther College (Iowa) and their home opener is scheduled for Saturday, November 18 hosting Central College (Iowa).
“I am confident that this program is in the right hands and I look forward to the success our players will have on and off the court under Kent’s guidance,” added Blum.
http://www.uwlathletics.com/news/2017/10/2/dernbach-named-interim-coach.aspx
