The Coaching Staff
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
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
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
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
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.
