The University of Montana Western Director of Athletics Bill Wilson has announced the hiring of Mike Larsen as the head men’s basketball coach.
“We are very excited to have Mike Larsen join the Bulldog family as our new head men’s basketball coach.” Said Director of Athletics Bill Wilson, “Mike’s enthusiasm, basketball intellect and his proven success developing student-athletes propelled him to the top of over 140 applicants. He is a talented young coach that worked for a legendary head coach in Gary Garner at Dakota State. Mike knows what it takes to be successful and we are excited about the future of Montana Western basketball.”
Currently Larsen is the assistant men’s basketball coach at Dakota State University in Madison, S.D. where he helped lead the Trojans to back-back conference championships and qualify for the NAIA DII National Tournament four of the past five years.
“First and foremost, I want to thank Mr. Wilson and the entire committee for entrusting me with the position at UMW.” Said Larsen, “I am incredibly excited to have the opportunity to represent the men’s basketball program and the university. I also want to thank my family and Dakota State University for their support over the years. I can’t wait to get started! Go Bulldogs!”
Larsen has spent the last seven seasons as the assistant coach at Dakota State, four of which as the top assistant. He has been an integral member of the DSU coaching staff that helped the Trojans established a school record nine-game winning streak, including capturing the NSAA conference postseason tournament. The Trojans have recorded double digits wins for eight straight seasons for the first time in 20 years and advanced to the quarterfinals in 2013 for the first time since 1992.
Larsen will start his new position at UMW immediately.
