Glas To Retire, Hemmingsen Hired

MOORHEAD, Minn. (12/19/16)---Concordia-Moorhead men's basketball coach Rich Glas announced his retirement in a press conference on Monday in Moorhead. Glas, who is in his ninth year at Concordia, will end his 37-year career as a college head coach at the conclusion of the 2016-17 season.

"I'm not retiring from coaching basketball until this season is done," said Glas. "It means that I will finish my career as a basketball coach. I'm at peace with that and I don't have any regrets. It's just time to do it."  

At the same time as Glas' retirement press conference, Concordia interim Athletic Director Rachel Bergeson announced that current assistant coach Grant Hemmingsen will be the new head coach of the Cobbers following the season.

"I couldn't be more pleased to have Grant take over as head coach of the men's basketball program," stated Bergeson. "He is a tremendous fit for Concordia. His background in the MIAC and his experience with the Concordia program the past four years will help continue the success our team has had under Rich."

Hemmingsen was hired in the summer of 2013 as the team's top assistant. For the past three-plus seasons he has been in charge of the team's recruiting process. Hemmingsen came to Concordia after serving as an assistant at NCAA Division II Kentucky Wesleyan from 2010-13.

As a player Hemmingsen was a two-year starter at Augsburg and played for the Auggies for three years from 2004-07.

"I'm excited for the future of Cobber basketball," Hemmingsen said. "I promise to uphold the foundation we have built in the last four years and Rich has built in the last nine. The future is bright and I am excited for this opportunity."

Glas will end his storied career at the end of the season. He recently became the seventh active coach in NCAA Division III to record his 600th career win. Glas' milestone 600th victory came in the Cobbers last game against St. Olaf on Dec. 10. He also recently became one of an elite group to coach in his 1,000th career game. Glas is in his 37th year as a head coach at the college level and has a 600-403 overall record.

Glas has led Concordia to the MIAC playoffs in three of the past four seasons and in four total years in his tenure as the Cobber head coach. He has a 110-101 overall record at Concordia and helped Jordan Bolger become the first All-American in the history of the program last season.    

Glas started his coaching career at Minn.-Morris in 1974. He coached the Cougars from 1974 to 1979 and took the team to a pair of NCAA Division III tournament appearances as well as two trips to the NAIA national playoffs. After his stint at UM-Morris, he went on to coach at Willamette (Ore.) from 1979 to 1984 where he won 66 games. He was also the athletic director at Willamette from 1981 to 1984.

From Willamette he went on to spend one year as a volunteer assistant coach on Lute Olson's staff at the University of Arizona and then traveled to Hawaii to become the assistant coach at the University of Hawaii from 1985 to 1987.

Glas was then hired as the head coach at the University of North Dakota in 1988 and spent 18 seasons leading North Dakota to over 300 wins. He is the all-time winningest coach in the history of UND basketball after amassing a 335-194 record in his tenure. He posted eight 20-win seasons at North Dakota and guided UND to eight NCAA Division II tournament appearances. 

"I'm looking forward to the new challenges that the next phase of my life will bring," added Glas. "I know that challenge will be a fun one because it is going to involve a lot more time with my family."   

Hemmingsen has been directly involved in all aspects of the Cobber program for the past four seasons. In addition to his responsibilities with leading recruiting, he has helped with day-to-day administration and on-court activities.

"Grant has really developed into a strong leader since he started at Concordia," responded Bergeson. "The players have the utmost respect for his coaching and mentor capabilities and we are very excited to have Grant carry on the tradition of the program.

Hemmingsen was an assistant coach at Minneapolis Southwest High School for two years before his time at Kentucky Wesleyan. Hemmingsen also had success as an AAU coach where he guided under-16 and under-17 year-old teams for the 43 Hoops Basketball Club.    

As a high school player Hemmingsen was a three-year letter winner and two-year starter at Mounds View High School. He was named team captain in his senior season and helped lead the Mustangs to the conference and sectional titles and a trip to the state tournament as a senior in 2002.

Rich Glas Retirement, Grant Hemmingsen Hiring Press Conference