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  Coach Tyler Craven has been on the Fremont Area D-League staff for both seasons of it's existence. Coach Craven was a football & basketball All-Stater at Ashland-Greenwood. He carried on his basketball abilities at Midland University for 4 years, where he was a two-year captain. 

"As a former coach's son, I grew up loving and studying the game of basketball. I have an immense passion for X's & O's and creating relationships with these young men that will last a lifetime."

Coach Frank Gade joined the Norfolk Area D-League in 2016. He is currently Assistant Coach at Cedar Catholic. Coach Gade served as the head boy’s coach of the Neligh-Oakdale Warriors from 2010-2018. His 2017 team was the Class C-2 State Runner-Up. He was also selected to coach in the NVC-MNAC and NE Nebraska All-Star games. Coach Gade played college ball at Hastings College.   

“As a high school coach the opportunity to work with & have former players work with the Norfolk Area D-League is an overwhelming positive experience.  While competing against the best in Northeast NE the kids grow in their game but also in there development as leaders.”

Coach Joe Crilly has been on the Norfolk Area D-League coaching staff since the inception of the program. As a Madison Dragon, Coach Crilly was a football standout and a basketball utility man. He is currently the head Girls Basketball coach at his alma mater as well as the head Football Coach.

"I'm fortunate enough to continually build the Norfolk Area D-League basketball program every summer. It has changed my way of thinking, not only about the game of basketball, but how important we as coaches can impact the players on & off the court."

   Coach Mark Keith joined the Norfolk Area D - League in 2021, he is currently the Assistant Coach at Battle Creek. Coach Keith has played with and against several NBA players and assisted on AAU Teams. Coach Keith's college career never developed due to a severe knee injury, but as time helps heal all wombs, Coach Keith learned what his true calling is, to help develop our children through a great T.E.A.M. ( Together, Everyone, Achieves, More ) concept that will help develop great L.E.A.D.E.R.S ( Living, Examples, Achieving, Direction,  > Education, Reflecting, Success ). A 

D-League perspective with a world wide application.

 Coach Jeremy Weidner joined the Norfolk Area D-League in 2021.  He is currently an Assistant Football Coach at Battle Creek.  Coach Weidner served as an assistant boy's basketball coach at Bishop Neumann in 2011 and at Norfolk High from 2014-2017.  

"I love the opportunity that the area youth and myself are given through Norfolk Area D-League.  There are talented and passionate youth in the area and this program provides the opportunity for these kids to grow in the game of basketball, as leaders, as teammates, and as people.  I am fortunate enough to be blessed with the opportunity to aid in the process of setting, chasing, and accomplishing the goals that these kids have for themselves.  I have heard, and now know, that the relationships that are built throughout this opportunity are amazing!  I love being apart of Norfolk Area D-League and watching the impact that this program has on it's kids, their families, and the coaches."

  Coach Ryan Mlnarik joined the D-League staff in Fremont in 2021. He has been in the high school coaching world for 24 years and is currently the head boys basketball coach at Archbishop Bergan, earning a State Runner-up finish in 2019. Previously, he was the head coach at both Blair for 5 years and Omaha North for 6 years, where he coached NBA Player Justin Patton. Coach Mlnarik is a graduate of Midland University where he played football for 4 years. 

“When I saw the impact the D-League had on 3 of my players from our 2019 State Runner Up Team, I knew it was time for me to become more involved.  Fremont and our surrounding communities are very fortunate to have a Summer Basketball program centered around the skill development of players.  I look forward to continuing to work with the D-League and watching the growth and development of players and teams in our surrounding communities.”

 Coach TJ O'Connor is currently the head boys basketball coach at Fort Calhoun High School. HE was previously an assistant at Millard North and Mount Michael. In High School, Coach O'Connor was a 3 sport start for North Platte St. Patrick's and played for his uncle at North Platte Community College 

Coach O'Connor has been around the game as a player or coach for over 30 years and looks forward to helping players develop in the summer!

  Coach Kobe Slaughter joined the Fremont Area D-League coaching staff in 2019. He also competed for the D-League program in 2016.  An all state player at GACC, he helped lead his team to a State Runner-Up performance his senior year. Kobe also played college basketball at Briar Cliff University.

"I was fortunate enough to work with the guys of Nebraska D-League throughout my high school career, then play on the team for a summer. Not only did I find lifelong friends, but my game was taken to a totally new level. If you're serious about developing your game with coaches who truly care about you, this program is a great fit." 

  Coach Jacob Mohs joined the Fremont D-League staff in 2021. Coach Mohs graduated from North Platte HS and played collegiately at UNK. He has been a Freshman, JV, and Varsity coach since 2005 with the last 10 being the head coach at Ashland-Greenwood. 

"I was fortunate to play for amazing coaches and they had a profound impact on my life. I hope that I can have the same positive impact on others and help them develop a passion for basketball and improvement as they work to reach their potential as players and people. My own kids are involved in D-League because of the importance placed on fundamentals and skill development. 

   Coach David Schmit began his coaching career at Dakota Valley High School (SD) in 2012 as an assistant boys basketball coach for two years.  During those two years, he was responsible for the freshmen team whose record was 32-10 during that time.  He went on to coach one year as a boys basketball assistant at Wallace High School (NE) before moving to Osmond and coaching two years as the boys assistant coach.  As part of the Osmond boys program, Coach Schmit was involved in Osmond’s state runner-up team in 2018.  Schmit then moved over to the girls program in the fall of 2018 becoming head coach and has been in that position ever since.  

I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the premier AAU league in this area.  The benefits that it brings to the athletes and coaches alike make it a no-brainer to want to be a part of.  Basketball is a huge passion of mine and I’m happy to join up with D-League to help athletes with a desire to excel at their game continue to improve! 

   Coach Jake Scheef joined the Fremont D-League program in 2019. The Wahoo Warrior continued his athletic and academic career at Nebraska Wesleyen. He helped lead them to a National Championship season his junior year. He is currently an Assistant Coach for both football and basketball at LVSS.

 "As a former coach's son, I grew up loving and studying the game of basketball. I have an immense passion for X's & O's and creating relationships with these young men that will last a lifetime."   

  Coach Preston Buckendahl joined the D-League coaching staff in 2021. He graduated from Battle Creek High School where he competed in football, basketball, and track for 4 years winning state championships in basketball his sophomore year and football his junior year. After high school he continued his basketball career at Northeast Community College. Most recently he has coached junior high boys basketball for 7 years and girls basketball for 2 years at St. John school in Battle Creek.  

  Coach Braden Eisenhauer has coached the Norfolk Area D-League for one year. A graduate of Bloomfield high school. Braden continues his love of basketball by helping out D-league and Bloomfield High. 

“I am extremely grateful that I was able to come back and help coach for D-League after playing for a couple of years. I believe that all the skills learned in practice during the summer directly translate to the season and make every individual a better player and person.”  

 Coach Kyla Moore joined the D-League staff summer of 2021. She was a 3-year starter in both basketball & volleyball for the Norfolk Panthers. She then played her college basketball at NECC for 2 years, where she was named All-American honorable mention. Following NECC, she played for one year at William Penn University and finished the year as the Conference Newcomer of the year, First Team All-Conference, NAIA All American Honorable Mention, and WBCA All-American Honorable Mention. She is currently a senior and plays basketball for Iowa Wesleyan. 

   Coach Garrett Watters

 Coach Tyson Belitz has coached for the Norfolk Area D-League program for 2 years. He also competed for the D-League program in 2016. Leading the Neligh-Oakdale Warriors to a State Runner-Up finish, Tyson was also an All-State player.
"Playing for Norfolk Area D-League was a great experience for me that lead to great friends and memories. Not only did it improve my game drastically, but it also helped me grow as a person. That's what makes this program great; the ability to affect player's lives in multiple ways." 

 Coach Logan Nordhues joined the Norfolk Area D-League coaching staff in 2019. He also competed for the D-League program in 2016. As a Randolph Cardinal, Coach Nordhues was a leader in both football and basketball. He was also an All-State player who led his team to both a State Championship and a 3rd Place finish.

"I enjoyed my time playing with the D-League and couldn't pass up the opportunity to coach. I love the game of basketball and thought it would be an enjoyable experience to help develop young players who have the same passion that I did at their age."