March 20, 2008

Rich Glas, who served on UNI men's basketball coach Ben Jacobson's staff the past two seasons, was named head men's basketball coach at Concordia (Minn.) College Mar. 19. Glas will be the 10th head coach in Concordia men's basketball history.

"I've had a rewarding experience the last two years working with Ben, the basketball staff, the players, and the athletic staff at UNI," Glas said. "As the past year moved forward, I once again had the desire to be a head coach. It's always been a passion of mine to lead young men and help prepare them for their future lives and the society in which they'll live. Concordia recently came to my attention, and it seemed like a great fit for Sandy and me. Fortunately for us, we were the right fit for them as well. I am very much looking forward to this new shallenge."

Glas served as assistant coach for UNI in 2006-07 and as director of basketball operations in 2007-08. Prior to coming to UNI, Glas was the head coach for the University of North Dakota from 1988 to 2005. He is the all-time winningest coach in the history of Sioux basketball after amassing a 335-194 record in his tenure. He posted eight 20-win seasons at North Dakota and guided the Sioux to eight NCAA Division II tournament appearances. He has been a college head coach for 28 years, compiling a 490-302 record.

During his 18 seasons at the University of North Dakota, Glas coached six North Central Conference Most Valuable Players, 10 All-Americans, 27 All-NCC selections, two NCC Newcomers of the Year, one NCC Freshman of the Year and 10 Academic All-NCC Selections.

Glas started his coaching career at UM-Morris. He coached the Cougars from 1974 to 1979 and took the team to a pair of NCAA Division III tournament appearances as well as two trips to the NAIA national playoffs. After his stint at UM-Morris, he went on to coach at Willamette (Ore.) from 1979 to 1984. He was also the athletic director at Willamette from 1981 to 1984. From Willamette he went on to spend one year as a volunteer assistant coach on Lute Olson's staff at the University of Arizona and then traveled to Hawaii to become the assistant coach at the University of Hawaii from 1985 to 1987. He then moved to UND in 1988, replacing legendary head coach Dave Gunther.

"I could not be more pleased for the men's basketball program and the entire Concordia College community," Condordia athletic director Dr. Larry Papenfuss said. "Not only does Rich bring a wealth of basketball experience and knowledge to the job, he is also a tremendous person that fits into the philosophies of the college."

"A coach of Rich's caliber comes along once in a lifetime," added Papenfuss. "He has shown me and the rest of the administration at Concordia that he is ready to continue the success the team had this past season and push the program onto the national scene. I am very excited about the future of the program."

A native of Bemidji, Minn., Glas received his bachelor's degree in physical education from Bemidji State in 1970. He earned his master's degree in education from Western Illinois in 1971. Glas will begin his duties at Concordia on April 1, 2008.