Council Bluffs, Iowa

 

Iowa Western Athletics has named Chad Van Riessen as its new program leader.

 

Van Riessen has served as the program's primary assistant coach for the past four seasons under Michael Johnette, who resigned to pursue other interests after the previous season concluded at the end of February.

 

As an assistant, Coach Van Riessen served as the Reivers academic monitor.  Under his supervision, the Reivers produced 4 NJCAA Academic All-Americans in his first three seasons in Council Bluffs, something the Reivers had only done once prior in the program's previous 43 seasons. He has helped produce 31 Academic All-Region honorees as well, and most importantly a 100% graduation rate for all 23 sophomores in those first three campaigns.

 

Prior to coming to Iowa Western, Van Riessen spent five seasons at Missouri State University-West Plains.  During his time at MSU-West Plains the Grizzlies averaged 20 wins a season and won the 2013-14 Region XVI regular season championship.  Van Riessen helped 12 student-athletes earn All-Region honors and coached 13 players that went on to play for NCAA Division I programs. 

Coach Van Riessen also spent four years coaching at Northwest Missouri State University.  He served as a graduate assistant for the 2007-08 season before being promoted as a full-time assistant coach.  In his time with the Bearcats they won a 2008 MIAA Conference Tournament Championship, reached the round of 32 of the NCAA Division II National Tournament and coached seven players who went on to play professionally overseas.

 

"It's an honor to be the head men's basketball coach at Iowa Western", Van Riessen said, "I'm excited to build on the successful tradition of this outstanding program.  I'm extremely grateful to Dr. Kinney for giving me this opportunity and believing in me to lead this program."

 

After earning his bachelor's degree from Central College in Pella Iowa, Van Riessen was named the Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach at Putnam County High School in Missouri.  In the three years he spent at Putnam County he led their program to an overall 61-19 record, 2006 Tri-Rivers Conference Championship and 2007 District Title which is only the 3rd District Championship in program history. 

 

A native of DeMotte, Indiana, Van Riessen is married to the former Brandy Taylor of Kansas City, MO.  They have three children, Madison, Carli & Paxton.