Completed Event: Men's Basketball versus #2 St. Thomas on March 5, 2026 , Loss , 67, to, 80
/
FINAL
Men's Basketball
67
vs #2 St. Thomas
80
South Dakota State University Athletics
Men's Basketball
Ryan Kirsch
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- Ryan.Kirsch@sdstate.edu
Ryan Kirsch joined the South Dakota State men's basketball program, his second stint in the Yellow and Blue, in April of 2025. He enters his second season as an assistant coach during the 2026-27 campaign.
Kirsch has worked across several levels of college basketball and most recently served as head coach at Iowa Central Community College during the 2024-25 season. Kirsch previously served as a graduate assistant for the Jackrabbits during the 2017-18 season.
Kirsch led Iowa Central to a 20-12 overall record and 10-8 mark in conference play during his lone year guiding the program. Kirsch guided the junior college squad based in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to a Region 11 Tournament championship game, falling by two points to eventual national champion Kirkwood Community College. Kirsch inherited a team that finished last in its conference and had single-digit victories the year prior to his arrival.
The incoming SDSU assistant spent six total seasons as a full-time assistant coach prior to the head coaching opportunity at Iowa Central.
Kirsch was a member of the Minnesota Duluth staff for two seasons. His time with the Bulldogs saw Kirsch’s squad advance to two NCAA Tournament showings. The 2022-23 season saw the Bulldogs earn their first ever NCAA Tournament victory, first NCAA Regional title and make their first NCAA Elite Eight appearance.
Prior to the move to the Division II level, Kirsch worked four seasons at Kirkwood Community College. His first season coincided with Petersen’s last as head coach for the Eagles. Petersen and Kirsch guided Kirkwood to a national championship in 2019. His time in Cedar Rapids saw the Eagles claim three conference titles, while Kirsch was named to the 2019 Under Amour NABC 30-Under-30 Team, recognizing the top 30 assistant coaches under the age of 30.
Kirsch was South Dakota State’s video coordinator during a graduate assistant stint with the Jacks through the 2017-18 slate. He was part of a staff led by T.J. Otzelberger that saw the team set a then-program record for wins (28-7 record) at the Division I level. The Jacks were The Summit League regular season and tournament champions that year, earning a 12-seed for the NCAA Tournament.
Kirsch earned a master’s degree in sports administration and leadership from Augustana University in Sioux Falls. He attended Iowa State University and served as a student assistant for the Iowa State men’s basketball program from 2014-2016 under the leadership of Otzelberger and Fred Hoiberg. Kirsch completed his undergraduate career by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in industrial and manufacturing systems engineering.
Kirsch is married to his wife, Branygon. They are the parents of a daughter, Kollyns.
Kirsch has worked across several levels of college basketball and most recently served as head coach at Iowa Central Community College during the 2024-25 season. Kirsch previously served as a graduate assistant for the Jackrabbits during the 2017-18 season.
Kirsch led Iowa Central to a 20-12 overall record and 10-8 mark in conference play during his lone year guiding the program. Kirsch guided the junior college squad based in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to a Region 11 Tournament championship game, falling by two points to eventual national champion Kirkwood Community College. Kirsch inherited a team that finished last in its conference and had single-digit victories the year prior to his arrival.
The incoming SDSU assistant spent six total seasons as a full-time assistant coach prior to the head coaching opportunity at Iowa Central.
Kirsch was a member of the Minnesota Duluth staff for two seasons. His time with the Bulldogs saw Kirsch’s squad advance to two NCAA Tournament showings. The 2022-23 season saw the Bulldogs earn their first ever NCAA Tournament victory, first NCAA Regional title and make their first NCAA Elite Eight appearance.
Prior to the move to the Division II level, Kirsch worked four seasons at Kirkwood Community College. His first season coincided with Petersen’s last as head coach for the Eagles. Petersen and Kirsch guided Kirkwood to a national championship in 2019. His time in Cedar Rapids saw the Eagles claim three conference titles, while Kirsch was named to the 2019 Under Amour NABC 30-Under-30 Team, recognizing the top 30 assistant coaches under the age of 30.
Kirsch was South Dakota State’s video coordinator during a graduate assistant stint with the Jacks through the 2017-18 slate. He was part of a staff led by T.J. Otzelberger that saw the team set a then-program record for wins (28-7 record) at the Division I level. The Jacks were The Summit League regular season and tournament champions that year, earning a 12-seed for the NCAA Tournament.
Kirsch earned a master’s degree in sports administration and leadership from Augustana University in Sioux Falls. He attended Iowa State University and served as a student assistant for the Iowa State men’s basketball program from 2014-2016 under the leadership of Otzelberger and Fred Hoiberg. Kirsch completed his undergraduate career by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in industrial and manufacturing systems engineering.
Kirsch is married to his wife, Branygon. They are the parents of a daughter, Kollyns.
Friday, March 06
Friday, March 06
Friday, March 06
Tuesday, March 03
