Thanks to great sources for getting us out in front of this one last night. It’s now official – Bradd Schafer is the new head coach at his alma mater Western State. Here’s the press release from from his former school Black Hills State:
Black Hills State University’s head men’s basketball coach, Bradd Schafer, will step down after eight seasons with the Yellow Jackets, to become the head men’s basketball coach at Western State Colorado University in Gunnison, CO.
"I want to personally thank Dr. Schallenkamp, Jhett Albers, Black Hills State University, and the Spearfish community for a wonderful eight years. I have raised a family here and developed many relationships throughout the Spearfish area. I’m excited to return to my alma mater Western State Colorado University where I earned my degree in 2001. BHSU will always be a home for us, and again I want thank everyone for their support," said Bradd Schafer.
Schafer has been the Jackets head coach for four years and prior to that he was the program’s assistant. He led the program through its transition from NAIA to NCAA DII and into the Rocky Mountain Conference. This past season his team finished with a 10-16 overall record and 8-14 in the conference. In 2012-13, the team’s inaugural season in the RMAC, they went 7-19 overall and 6-16 in conference play. In 2011-12, when the program was not affiliated with a conference due to the transition from NAIA to NCAA II, Coach Schafer played an integral role in organizing a postseason tournament in which he coached three players to ICAA (Independent Conference Athletic Association) postseason honors. Those players included Rob Johnson, who was selected second team All-ICAA, and Joey Mitchell and Brody Brisk who were both selected to the All-Freshman Team.
In 2010-11, Schafer guided Black Hills State to a 27-6 overall record with a mark of 12-2 in the Dakota Athletic Conference. Black Hills State had three DAC All-Conference players and two NAIA All-American Selections that year. The Yellow Jackets won both the DAC regular season title and the Dakota Athletic Conference tournament title. To top off that season, Schafer led the Yellow Jackets to the NAIA National Tournament Sweet Sixteen round.
"Coach Schafer has been a remarkable asset to Yellow Jacket Athletics and Black Hills State University," stated BHSU Athletic Director Jhett Albers. "He has been a true leader and role model for the men’s basketball program that players, alumni, donors, and fans have come to know and respect. I believe that I am speaking on behalf of the entire Yellow Jacket Athletic Program when I wish Coach Schafer and his family the very best in the future. "
The search process will begin immediately to fill the head men’s basketball coach position.
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