South Dakota announced that head coach Eric Peterson has elevated Matt Murken to associate head coach for the 2026‑27 season, cementing a two‑decade coaching pedigree within the program.
A Coach With a Proven Track Record
Murken arrived in May 2025 after a 13‑year tenure at Minot State, where he guided the Beavers to back‑to‑back 20‑win seasons and positioned himself as the program’s second‑winningest coach in history.
His impact was immediate, as he helped develop Cameron Fens into an All‑Summit League First Team and All‑Defensive Team selection and contributed to Jordan Crawford’s placement on the All‑Summit League Second Team.
The Coyotes’ offense surged to an average of 79.6 points per game, ranking fourth in the Summit League and 88th nationally, while the team placed fifth in the country for free‑throw efficiency, underscoring Murken’s strategic emphasis.
Beyond the wins, Murken holds a Master’s in education and a Bachelor’s in secondary education from Concordia University (Neb.), where he also earned NAIA Academic All‑American honors twice as a player.