Get to Know South Dakota State’s Basketball Coach

Get to know South Dakota State’s basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger.

Introduction

South Dakota State University’s head basketball coach is a man of many talents. Not only is he a great basketball coach but he is also a family man and an all-around good guy. Get to know more about South Dakota State’s basketball coach below.

Early Life and Education

South Dakota State’s basketball coach T. J. Otzelberger, was born and raised in Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin – Platteville, where he played point guard for the men’s basketball team After graduating with a degree in education, he became a teacher and coach at a High School in Wisconsin. In 2006, he accepted a position as an Assistant Coach at the University of South Dakota. He then became Head Coach of the women’s Basketball team at South Dakota State University in 2009. In his ten years as head coach he has led the team to seven NCAA tournament appearances and two conference championships

Coaching Career

South Dakota State’s men’s basketball coach is T.J. Otzelberger. He is entering his fourth season with the Jackrabbits, and has compiled a 61-41 record during his time at SDSU.

Prior to taking over at South Dakota State Otzelberger was an assistant coach at Iowa State from 2010 to 2014. He also had stops at Washington from 2007 to 2010, New Mexico junior college from 2005 to 2007, and North Dakota State from 2003 to 2005.

Accomplishments

South Dakota State’s Basketball Coach T.J. Otzelberger, has accomplished a lot in his coaching career. He led the Jackrabbits to their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2019 and has a winning percentage of .611. He also coached at Iowa State for six years, where he helped the Cyclones to four NCAA tournament appearances.

Coaching Style

South Dakota State’s Head Coach T.J. Otzelberger, is known for his high-energy and enthusiastic coaching style. He is a demanding coach who expects his players to give their all on the court. His infectious personality and love for the game of basketball rubs off on his players and helps create a positive team environment.

Otzelberger is a firm believer in the power of hard work and dedication. He often says that “there is no substitute for hard work ” This philosophy has served him well in his coaching career and has helped him build successful programs at both the University of Washington and South Dakota State

Otzelberger is also known for his ability to connect with his players on a personal level. He frequently meets with his players to discuss their goals and aspirations, both on and off the court. This open line of communication has helped Otzelberger create a close-knit team that is committed to success.

Relationship with Players

South Dakota State’s basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger, is known for his strong relationships with his players. His players have said that he is fair and demanding, but also supportive and personable. He has even been known to join in on team huddles during timeouts!

Recruiting

As the Head coach of the South Dakota State men’s basketball team Eric Henderson is responsible for all aspects of the program. That includes recruiting, which is a vital part of any college basketball team’s success.

Coach Henderson and his staff hit the recruiting trail each year to find the best high school players in the country that fit their system and can help the team win. They evaluate hundreds of players and narrow their focus to a select few that they feel have the most potential to be successful at the collegiate level.

The recruiting process is intense and competitive, but it’s also an exciting time for coach Henderson and the entire South Dakota State Basketball Program They are always looking for players that can come in and make an immediate impact on the court and help lead the team to victory.

Future Plans

As the season comes to a close, South Dakota State’s Basketball Coach is looking ahead to next year. Coach Steve Smith has big plans for the team, including recruiting more talented players and increasing the team’s success in conference play

In addition to on-the-court improvements, Coach Smith is also hoping to create a more positive team culture. He wants his players to be proud of their accomplishments and to feel like they are part of something special. By creating a positive environment, he believes that his team will be better prepared to face challenges both on and off the court.

Quotes

“Mr. Lyon came to Brookings in May of 1907 as the new basketball coach at South Dakota State College. His teams quickly became basketball powers in the upper Midwest. In his first season, his team won 17 of 20 games.”

“Lyon coached at SDSC for 19 years, compiling a record of 304-66. His .820 winning percentage is still the best in school history.”

“During his time at SDSC, the Jackrabbits won eight conference championships and had 14 winning seasons.”

“In 1926, Lyon’s team went 22-1, setting a school record for single-season victories that still stands today.”

“Lyon retired from coaching in 1926, but he remained at SDSC as the school’s physical education director until his retirement in 1947. He died in 1956 at the age of 76.”

Conclusion

South Dakota State’s Basketball coach is a man of many talents. He is a great motivator, a able to break down game film, and he has a great relationship with his players. He is also a man of integrity and character. I have never seen him lose his temper or get too upset with his players. He is always calm and collected. I think that this is one of the reasons why his teams have been so successful.