Coaching Staff

                                             
Wade Kooiman
 Head Coach

Kooiman enters his third season as Head Coach of the Dakota State Men's  
Basketball program in 2007-2008.  Previous to his head coaching position, he served as top assistant with his primary duties included the coaching of post players and putting together the program’s defensive scheme.  Also, Kooiman directed the recruiting efforts for the Trojans, conducted off-season conditioning, film exchange, and assisted with the program’s academic support system.  He came to DSU from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND where he was the Graduate Assistant and Head JV Coach for the Men's Basketball program from 2001 to 2003. 

Kooiman's playing career began at South Dakota State University where he played one season under Head Coach Scott Nagy.  That season, the Jackrabbits won the North Central Conference crown and advanced to the Elite 8 of the NCAA Division II.  After his freshman year at South Dakota State University, he transferred to the University of Mary where he made his mark as a stand out point guard under Head Coach Jim Feeney.  Kooiman helped the program log 101 wins and establish itself as a defensive powerhouse in the DAC-10 Conference.  He currently ranks 6th on the University of Mary's all-time assists list. 

Kooiman, an Edgerton, MN native, received his undergraduate and Masters Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Mary.  He, his wife Audra, and their daughter Payton and son Kamden reside in Madison.

Orion Thompson
Assistant Coach

Orion Thompson will be entering his third year as the DSU Trojan’s Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach.  Orion has been brought in primarily to coach the post players as well aid in recruiting, scouting, game preparation, and the athlete’s academic progress.

 In 1999, Coach Thompson graduated from the University of Sioux Falls.  After graduating, Orion took the opportunity to play in several semi-professional basketball leagues around the world from 1999-2001.  In 2001, he moved from South Dakota to teach and coach in Salinas, CA.  In 2002, Coach Thompson moved back to South Dakota to take a position as a Graduate Assistant for the SDSU Men’s Basketball program and also pursue his Master’s Degree.
 

Coach Thompson continued his collegiate coaching career with the Screaming Eagles of Si Tanka University and graduated with a Master’s in Sports Administration from South Dakota State University in May 2004.  Orion is happily married to Darla Thompson and has been enjoying their one-year old daughter, Ciara.

In addition to serving as the assistant to head coach Wade Kooiman, he is also the Resident Director of Higbie Hall.