Dan Swift, Riverland Community College head men’s basketball coach, has resigned his position as a coach and instructor at Riverland to pursue a new career. Swift’s last day with the college will be today, Oct. 7. Riverland officially named Scott Koenigs, who currently serves as head coach for Riverland’s baseball team, as the interim coach for the men’s team.

Since he started as head basketball coach in 2006, Swift has coached one National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Academic All-American, seven Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC) All-Southern Division, two MCAC All-State and four All-Academic players. He has had 13 players successfully continue their basketball careers at four-year universities.

With the new men’s basketball season officially starting Oct. 15, Dr. Ron Langrell, Riverland executive vice president, said that the administration has focused on finding an interim coach to assure the players and our fans that Riverland is committed to the men’s basketball program and a successful season.

“We have great confidence in Coach Koenig’s coaching and feel that he is the best person for the team,” Langrell said. “We will give him whatever support he needs to successfully coach both basketball and baseball, this season.”

Hired in 2003 as head baseball coach, Koenigs led two consecutive Blue Devils teams to the Junior College (JUCO) World Series in 2009 and 2010. The 2010 Blue Devils broke many team and school records on its way to the State Championship and Region Championship. The Devils finished the 2010 season as the #6 ranked team in the nation. The Blue Devils, under Coach Koenigs, had a team batting average of .381.

Coach Koenigs was awarded the District 13 Coach of the Year, District E Coach of the Year and American Baseball Coaches Association and Diamond Sports Regional Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year. The Riverland Baseball Program has become one of the top Division III JUCO programs in the nation. The Riverland Campus has become a yearly recruiting stop for Division I, II and NAIA, as well as Division III 4-year baseball programs looking for immediate help.

Prior to arriving at Riverland Community College, Koenigs was head baseball coach at Grand Meadow/Le Roy-Ostrander (GLMO) in Minnesota, leading them to a conference title in his first season at the helm. After 2 years at GMLO, Coach Koenigs was hired as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Kansas (KU) in Lawrence, Kansas where he received his master’s degree in Sports Administration/Social Studies Composite. Koenigs spent his two years with the Jayhawks coaching the outfielders and assisting with the hitting coach. Koenigs worked for former Major Leaguer Bobby Randall at KU. At KU, Koenigs was involved in recruiting, evaluating, day-to-day practices, and game-day events.

Koenigs started his coaching career coaching high school basketball for Chatfield High School in 1996. He also coached basketball for Lyle High School (1997-99) and Fairmont High School 1999-2002). At Riverland, he served as assistant Basketball Coach for the 2003-2004 season. Koenigs also teaches sociology courses for Riverland.

“Koenig’s coaching record is impressive and the men’s team will benefit from his knowledge and skills,” Langrell said. “This decision will enable the men’s basketball team to hit the court running