Class AAAA: New Coaches
This year there are eight new coaches at the Class AAAA level of play in Minnesota. Here are those eight coaches and the programs they are leading.
Jim Daly (Rochester JM). Daly takes over at Rochester JM after leading Rochester Lourdes for several years. Daly has taken Lourdes to state and continually had them competing for conference and section titles. Daly comes to JM with the Rockets losing many to graduation but with Matthew Hurt as a nationally ranked top player.
David Frasier (Centennial). Frasier takes over for Travis Bledsoe who left for his graduating high school DeLaSalle. Frasier has been coaching at the younger levels, has spent time with the Minnesota Heat, and is now the Cougar head man.
Joe Janquart (Lakeville South). Janquart led North St. Paul to the state tournament two seasons ago and has turned the Polars program around. Janquart comes to Lakeville South during a time of high expectation. Janquart was with Henry Sibley during their state runs before joining NSP.
Damian Johnson (North St. Paul). The former Gopher basketball standout was at Eden Prairie as an assistant last year and now takes over for Janquart. The Polars have solid expectations with Goodnews Kpegeol and Bryce Phillps returning.
Luke Madsen (Rochester Mayo). Madsen comes to Mayo after coaching in Wisconsin for the past several years. He brings his sons to the school. The Madsen boys are twins and were ranked as two of the top ten players in Wisconsin before coming to Minnesota.
Blake Nicols (New Prague). Nicols has been at Andover for the past several years including being on the staff that helped the team to state a year ago. Blake is a big figure in the WOTN basketball program and is now replacing Tesdahl at New Prague.
Josh Peltier (Eagan). Josh was a key assistant at Wayzata a year ago and has been thought to be one of the top coaches available this off-season. He takes over the Eagan program and is expected to instill toughness and consistency.
Bryce Tesdahl (East Ridge). Tesdahl walks into a situation of high expectations as the Raptors have some of the state’s best young talent. Bryce was at New Prague last year and spent time coaching at UMD in past years. Played at Crosby-Ironton and Bemidji State.