MITCHELL — There's a new look to Dakota Wesleyan football this spring.
Conspicuously absent from the Tigers' practice field for the first time in 12 seasons was Ross Simple, who resigned as head coach and accepted the role of DWU's athletic director in February. He will be replaced by former DWU offensive coordinator Alex Kretzschmer in his first career head coaching job.
The coaching change was initially a surprise to members of the program, but the return to spring practice and the accompanying crunching pads, blazing whistles and sporadic South Dakota spring weather has returned a sense of calm to the team. Ta.
“The biggest thing is making sure we bring our players along with the head coaching change,” linebacker and Mitchell High School product Joe Van Overschelde said. “I think it was on the second day that if you want to talk about players that are upset or changes, please talk to (Kretzschmar). The important thing is that we are moving in the direction that he wants to take us. I think myself and AJ (Kortmeyer) and a few other leaders on the team have done a pretty good job of guiding that so far.”
Jacob Nielson / Mitchell Republic
After seven practices through spring, Kretzschmar admitted he was happy to be back on the team's practice field after months of learning the management side of his new job, and said the team's commitment to the program has been strong through this spring effort. He said he saw it being shown. .
“We continue to make progress,” Kretschmer said. “…the guys have figured it out right away and all the leaders here are trying to better themselves every day. (I'm) pretty happy with that effort and they're taking it every day. I keep chasing it.”
Much of the focus for spring ball will be on identifying how to replace some of the team's best playmakers from last year's 6-5 team. The Tigers will make major changes on offense, graduating all-time leading rusher Jamin Arend, starting quarterback Austin Lee and All-GPAC wide receiver Kiel Nelson.
Jacob Neesron / Mitchell Republic
Spring practice gave new leaders a chance to step in.
“Those guys left shoes to fill,” Kortemeyer said. “We have great producers on the team, offensively, defensively, special teams, everything. It's important right now to step into those roles.”
Returning players with some experience include Emery running back Koby Kiser, who rushed for 83 yards on 14 carries last year, wide receiver Cole Holden, who had 18 catches for 253 yards last year, and the offense. That includes returning starters on the line, John Pica and AJ Kortemeyer. .
None of the three returning quarterbacks, Connor Drake, Jed Jenson and Braden Wolf, have played in college.
Jacob Nielson / Mitchell Republic
“Any offensive coordinator or defensive coordinator will tell you that they want to know what their players do best,” Kretschsmar added. “…So we just find out what (our players) do best and highlight those traits.”
There will also be changes on defense, with former head coach Chris Bessler being hired as defensive coordinator and replaced by senior leaders such as defensive back Adam DeJong.
“I’m definitely excited,” VanOverschelde said. “We're going to switch some things around and give everyone a new system. It was great to learn a new type of defense and it also comes with different responsibilities.”
DWU's spring game will be played at the team's practice field near the DWU/Avera Sports and Wellness Complex on Saturday, April 27th at 1 p.m.
Jacob Nielson is a sports reporter for the Mitchell Republic. He joined Mitchell Republic in July 2023 after graduating from Utah State University in 2023 with a degree in journalism and a minor in history. He covers a variety of prep and college sports throughout South Dakota.
