Huisman out at Iowa Wesleyan

MT. PLEASANT — The Iowa Wesleyan men’s basketball team will have a new head coach when they hit the hardwood again next winter.

Alex Huisman, who has spent his last nine years at Iowa Wesleyan, including eight as the head men’s basketball coach, announced his resignation Tuesday.

Coming from the small town of Jewell, Iowa, and Upper Iowa University, Huisman began his time as an assistant under Coach Todd Lorensen before taking over as head coach for the 2014-15 season.

Huisman made the announcement on Tuesday, taking to Instagram to address supporters. In the announcement, he thanked his fellow coaches, as well as the myriad of players he has coached over his near decade in Mt. Pleasant.

“Thank you to all of my guys, who’ve trusted in me enough to put so much blood, sweat and tears into this uniform,” Huisman said. “Thank you for all the memories, on and off the court.”

Huisman says he couldn’t be more grateful for the last eight years, but that it was time for himself, wife Paige and young daughter Gabbie to start a new chapter.

In messages to the Union, Huisman says he still plans on coaching. Iowa Wesleyan was his first head-coaching gig, starting at the ripe young age of 24.

During his time at Iowa Wesleyan, Huisman resided over a changing period at the school. Huisman had a winning record in his first three years, including an 18-9 mark in 2016-17, but the team was still ineligible to compete in conference and NCAA tournaments due to being a new member of NCAA Division III.

In their first year back in the NAIA, the Tigers went just 12-19 overall but 7-4 in the Continental Athletic Conference. Huisman’s bunch made the conference tournament and came one win away from a national tournament berth before falling in the semifinals.

“I started as a 24-year-old first time head coach learning a lot on the fly with the help of my assistants and players,” Huisman said. The biggest thing I’ve probably learned is that coaching is what I’m meant to do.“