Brian VanHaaften, head coach
VanHaaften@bvu.edu
Van Haaften joined BVU in 1994 as an assistant coach for the Beavers and was named head coach in 1996. Since that time he has amassed one of the best active winning percentage in NCAA Division III men’s basketball with an all-time record of 255-82 (.757). Buena Vista has had a winning record every year since he took over the head job.
Van Haaften’s record ranks him amongst the best coaches in the history of the game. He reached the 200-win plateau in just his ninth season, in the 251st game of his collegiate career – faster than nearly any coach in Division III history. This ranks Van Haaften above legendary coaches Roy Williams (of Kansas and North Carolina, who took 252 games to reach the 200 win milestone) and Denny Crum (of Louisville, who collected his 200th win in 254 games).
His record versus conference opponents (including both regular season and conference tournament games) is a dominating 194-45 (.812). In games decided by five points or less, his record is 66-27 (.710). In home conference and conference tournament games, his squads are 117-11 (.914).
During Van Haaften’s tenure at Buena Vista, his teams have won the Iowa Conference six times and have finished runner-up four times, third once, and fourth once. At one point, he compiled six 20-win seasons in a row for the Beavers (27-2 in 2000, 21-6 in 2001, 23-6 in 2002, 27-4 in 2003, 24-5 in 2004, and 26-4 in 2005). In the 17 years prior to his joining the Beavers, the program won just 26% of its games. Van Haaften’s squads won five straight Iowa Conference Tournaments from the 2001-02 sesason thru the 2005-06.
Van Haaften has deep-seated roots within the Storm Lake community. He served as principal of St. Mary’s High School in Storm Lake from 1992 to 1994. He was also the head basketball coach from 1988-94 and the head baseball coach from 1989-93 at St. Mary’s where he served as a business education teacher and as athletic director.
Van Haaften graduated from Pella High School, where he was named to the all-conference basketball team twice and earned Special Mention All-State as a senior. He then attended Northwestern College where he played varsity for three years and started as a senior. Van Haaften went on to earn his master’s degree in educational administration from Drake University.
Record at Buena Vista:
1996-1997 18-8, 12-4 in IIAC
1997-1998 19-6, 17-3 in IIAC
1998-1999 15-11, 13-7 in IIAC
1999-2000 27-2, 19-1 in IIAC
2000-2001 21-6, 16-4 in IIAC
2001-2002 23-6, 16-2 in IIAC
2002-2003 27-4, 16-2 in IIAC
2003-2004 24-5, 13-3 in IIAC
2004-2005 26-4, 14-2 in IIAC
2005-2006 15-14, 10-6 in IIAC
2006-2007 17-9, 11-5 in IIAC
2007-2008 23-7, 14-2 in IIAC
Total: 255-82, 171-41 in IIAC
Some of Van Haaften’s Accomplishments:
• Has won 6 Iowa Conference Championships.
• Has made 8 National Tournament Appearances.
• Has made it to the Sweet 16 of the National Tournament three times.
• Two of the top records in school history have occurred with Van Haaften. 27-2 in 2000, and 27-4 in 2003.
• Set the record with 23 consecutive victories in season ‘00.
• IIAC Coach of the Year – ‘97, ‘00, ‘02, ‘03, '04, '08
• West Region Coach of the Year – ‘00 (NABC), '06 (D3hoops.com), '08 (D3hoops.com).
• Coached Class 1A State Championship in Baseball in ‘93 at Storm Lake St. Mary’s.
Eric Wiebers, assistant coach
WiebersE@bvu.edu
Wiebers is in his fourth year as an assistant coach for the Buena Vista men's basketball team after getting promoted to be the squad's top assistant two seasons ago.
Prior to joining the staff, he spent the previous three years suiting up as an all-conference guard for the Beavers. Wiebers concluded his career as the ninth leading scorer in school history despite playing only three seasons at Buena Vista. The Iowa Conference MVP for the 2002-03 season was one of 10 finalists in the nation for the Jostens Award in 2004-05.
Coach Van Haaften says: "Eric Wiebers is a great addition to our program. He understands what it takes to win consistently and does a wonderful job with developing our young players. He is committed to BVU, and I can't wait to work with him over the next few years as he develops into a great coach. He has all the necessary skills to be outstanding as a recruiter.
Bissen is in his third season on the coaching staff. He also currently teaches in the Alta School District. A 2005 graduate of Buena Vista, Bissen ranks in the top 10 in school history in rebounds, blocked shots, and field goal percentage.
Coach Van Haaften says: "Randy will provide a big help with our post players, as he is the post player that improved more over his four years than any other player I have ever coached. He is very good with the players and will be a big bonus on the recruiting trail."