Opinion Corner: Another JC, NSU tie formed

Talk about it

Call it the 281-connection, like-minds think alike, or what have you, but the pipeline between Jamestown College and Northern State has popped up again.

In recent years, Northern State has either plucked directly off or brought in coaches with ties to Jamestown College.

Yesterday, it was Jamestown College, who reeled in Justin Wieck to take over the men’s basketball program.

This one looks like another strong hire by JC athletic director Lawrie Paulson. Wieck has the résumé of a 38-year-old, but is 10 years younger. He also will assume the title of tallest coach on staff, and best I can remember is the first coach in my time here that is taller than me (6’4), although it is close.

Wieck almost certainly will succeed at Jamestown College. Year one could be a little challenging considering some of the variables — a team hit hard by graduation; tricky recruiting circumstances considering the timing of Matt Murken’s departure, although landing someone of Wieck’s pedigree will likely prevent any current players from bolting. In fact, top returning player Mark Hoge — sporting a new sleek, long-haired look —expects everybody to be back.

New assistant coach Byron Jones, who was just hired last month after a stellar playing career for the Jimmies, was given credit by a lot of people Monday for keeping things running smoothly while the search for the new head coach was conducted.

Wieck worked with former Jimmie assistant men’s basketball coach Matt Sevareid the past two years at Northern State. Sevareid and Wieck were assistants for Paul Sather, who brought many strong Black Hills State teams into the Jamestown Civic Center when Sather was in charge there.

Northern State’s football coaching staff has a very JC feel with Tom Dosch leading the way. His offensive coordinator is Mark Martin, who was at JC for six years under Bud Etzold and Dosch. And earlier this summer, Dosch lured Matt McLagan to Aberdeen. McLagan had been a defensive assistant for the Jimmies the previous two years.

Dean Berry, the NSU baseball coach, never coached at JC, but was the Legion coach here a number of years ago and is a LaMoure native.

So besides being connected by U.S. Highway 281, Jamestown College and Northern State have several ties. Another is that both have been generally successful in most sports in recent years and with Wieck’s hiring Monday, that is likely to continue for the Jimmie men’s basketball team.

Sun sports editor Dave Selvig can be reached at (701) 952-8460 or by e-mail at dselvig@jamestownsun.com

Tags: sports, jimmies, basketball