Brian VanHaaften, Head Coach

vanhaaften@bvu.edu

Van Haaften joined BVU in 1994 as an assistant coach for the Beavers and was named head coach in 1996. Since that time he has put together one of the best active winning percentage in NCAA Division III men’s basketball with an all-time record of 304-112 (.731).  Entering his 16th season, he holds the second-highest winning percentage among active Division III coaches with at least 10 years of coaching.

Buena Vista has had a winning record in 14 of the 15 years since he took over the head job.

Van Haaften’s record ranks him amongst the best coaches in the history of the game. He reached the 200-win plateau in just his ninth season, in the 251st game of his collegiate career – faster than nearly any coach in Division III history. This ranks Van Haaften above legendary coaches Roy Williams (of Kansas and North Carolina, who took 252 games to reach the 200 win milestone) and Denny Crum (of Louisville, who collected his 200th win in 254 games).  He then recorded his 300th career this past season in just his 407th career game.

His record versus conference opponents (including both regular season and conference tournament games) entering this season is a dominating 227-67 (.772). In games decided by five points or less, his record is 80-37 (.684). In home conference and conference tournament games, his squads are 140-17 (.892).

During Van Haaften’s tenure at Buena Vista, his teams have won the Iowa Conference seven times and have finished runner-up five times, third once, fourth once, and sixth once. At one point, he compiled six 20-win seasons in a row for the Beavers (27-2 in 2000, 21-6 in 2001, 23-6 in 2002, 27-4 in 2003, 24-5 in 2004, and 26-4 in 2005).  His team's have also gone 24-6 all-time during the Iowa Conference Tornament.  In the 17 years prior to his joining the Beavers, the program won just 26% of its games. Van Haaften’s squads won five straight Iowa Conference Tournaments from the 2001-02 sesason thru the 2005-06.

Van Haaften has deep-seated roots within the Storm Lake community. He served as principal of St. Mary’s High School in Storm Lake from 1992 to 1994. He was also the head basketball coach from 1988-94 and the head baseball coach from 1989-93 at St. Mary’s where he served as a business education teacher and as athletic director.

Van Haaften graduated from Pella High School, where he was named to the all-conference basketball team twice and earned Special Mention All-State as a senior. He then attended Northwestern College where he played varsity for three years and started as a senior. Van Haaften went on to earn his master’s degree in educational administration from Drake University.

Record at Buena Vista:
1996-1997 18-8, 12-4 in IIAC
1997-1998 19-6, 17-3 in IIAC
1998-1999 15-11, 13-7 in IIAC
1999-2000 27-2, 19-1 in IIAC
2000-2001 21-6, 16-4 in IIAC
2001-2002 23-6, 16-2 in IIAC
2002-2003 27-4, 16-2 in IIAC
2003-2004 24-5, 13-3 in IIAC
2004-2005 26-4, 14-2 in IIAC
2005-2006 15-14, 10-6 in IIAC
2006-2007 17-9, 11-5 in IIAC
2007-2008 23-7, 14-2 in IIAC
2008-2009 23-3, 15-1 in IIAC
2009-2010 15-12, 10-6 in IIAC
2010-2011 11-15, 8-8 in IIAC
Total: 304-112, 204-56 in IIAC

Some of Van Haaften’s Accomplishments:

• Has won 7 Iowa Conference regular season and six Iowa Conference tournament championships.
• His team's have gone 24-6 all-time during the Iowa Conference Tournament.
• Has made 8 National Tournament Appearances.
• Has made it to the Sweet 16 of the National Tournament three times.
• Two of the top records in school history have occurred with Van Haaften. 27-2 in 2000, and 27-4 in 2003.
• Set the record with 23 consecutive victories in season ‘00.
• IIAC Coach of the Year – ‘97, ‘00, ‘02, ‘03, '04, '08
• West Region Coach of the Year – ‘00 (NABC), '06 (D3hoops.com), '08 (D3hoops.com).
• Coached Class 1A State Championship in Baseball in ‘93 at Storm Lake St. Mary’s.

Eric Wiebers, Assistant Coach

wieberse@bvu.edu

Wiebers is in his sixth year as an assistant coach for the Buena Vista men's basketball team after getting promoted to be the squad's top assistant four seasons ago.  During his time on the bench, BVU has posted an overall mark of 89-46, including a 58-22 mark in league play.

Prior to joining the staff, he spent the previous three years suiting up as an all-conference guard for the Beavers. Wiebers concluded his career as the ninth leading scorer in school history despite playing only three seasons at Buena Vista. Named the Iowa Conference MVP for the 2002-03 season, he was later tabbed as one of 10 finalists in the nation for the Jostens Award in 2004-05.

Coach Van Haaften says: "Eric Wiebers has been a great addition to our program. He understands what it takes to win consistently and does a wonderful job with developing our young players. He is committed to BVU,  and has developed into a great coach. He has all the necessary skills to be outstanding as a recruiter.

Randy Bissen, Assistant Coach

bissen@bvu.edu

Bissen will begin his fifth season on the coaching staff for the 2011-12 campaign. He also teaches in the Alta School District and serves as boys golf coach.

A 2005 graduate of Buena Vista, Bissen ranks in the top 10 in school history in rebounds, blocked shots, and field goal percentage.

Coach Van Haaften says: "Randy provides a big help with our post players, as he is the post player that improved more over his four years than any other player I have ever coached. He is very good with the players and is a big bonus on the recruiting trail."