Luther College
Norse Sports

The Coaching Staff

Mark Franzen

mark franzen
Head Men's Basketball Coach
franma03@luther.edu
  • Office: Regents Center 109
  • Phone: (563) 387-1588
  • 1994 graduate of Wartburg College.
  • Master's degree from University of Northern Iowa in 1998.
  • Took over Norse basketball program last season after serving two years as head coach at Nebraska Wesleyan University, an independent NCAA III institution.
  • Formerly an assistant coach at Wartburg College from 1998-2004 and Coe College from 1996-98.
  • While at Wartburg, the Knights posted four 20-win seasons, captured the 2001 Iowa Conference regular season championship and tournament title, advancing to the NCAA III National Tournament.
  • A native of Denver, Iowa and a 1994 graduate of Wartburg College, he was a member of the Knights 1992-93 Iowa Conference championship team that qualified for the NCAA III National Tournament.

Tim Schuring

tim schuring
Assistant Men's Basketball Coach
schuti02@luther.edu
  • Office: Regents Center 217F
  • Phone: (563) 387-2128
  • 1988 graduate of Wartburg College.
  • Master's degree from United States Sports Academy in 1999.
  • Returned to collegiate level coaching after spending one year as Associate Principal/Activities Director at Oelwein High School.
  • Four years as Head Men's Basketball Coach/ Instructor of PE and Exercise Science at Dakota State University.
  • Three years as Head Coach/ Sports Management Instructor at The University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, KS.
  • Two years as Assistant Coach/Instructor of PE at Iowa Wesleyan College.
  • Seven years as Head High School and Secondary Social Studies Teacher in the states of Iowa and Illinois.
  • 1988-89 Graduate Assistant at Central College, and 1986-1988 student assistant at Wartburg (under coach Buzz Levick).

 

Eric Karius

eric karius
Assistant Basketball Coach
karier01@luther.edu
  • Cell Phone: (262) 573-7710
  • Joined Norse last year after spending five years as the assistant boys basketball coach at Slinger High School, Slinger Wis.
  • During this five-year stretch, Slinger won one Parkland Conference championship and compiled an overall record of 74-37.

Brad Johansen

brad johansen
Assistant Basketball Coach
bjohansen@decorah.k12.ia.us
  • Phone: (563) 382-3642 - ext. 135
  • 1991 Graduate of Wartburg College.
  • Master's Degree in Educational Leadership - Viterbo University.
  • Second year as a member of the Norse coaching staff.
  • Head Boys Basketball Coach at Decorah High School - 2000-06.
  • Assistant basketball positions at Decorah, Manchester West Delaware, Denver and Tripoli.

Rich Gaard

rich gaard
Assistant Basketball Coach
rich_gaard@hotmail.com
  • Phone: (563) 382-9313
  • 1969 Graduate of Wartburg College.
  • Master's Degree in Business Education - University of Northern Iowa - 1974.
  • Selected to coach 3A Iowa Dr. Pepper All-Star Team 1998.
  • Has coached at Decorah High School at all levels both boys and girls for the last 36 years (head boys coach 1995-2000).
  • Member of the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association Board of Directors - 1995-2000.
  • Volunteer women's assistant coach Luther College - 2004-05.
  • Retired Colonel in the United States Army Reserve - was attached to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, Washington D.C.
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