BROOKINGS, S.D. – The Brookings Rotary Club welcomed South Dakota State University men’s basketball Head Coach Bryan Petersen as the featured speaker at its September 30 meeting. Petersen, who previously served six years as an assistant coach at SDSU, stepped into the head coaching role following the departure of Coach Henderson. He becomes the 23rd head coach in the history of the Jackrabbit men’s basketball program. A former Iowa State University player and graduate, Petersen also coached at Kirkwood Community College for six seasons before joining the SDSU staff. He and his wife reside in Brookings with their two young sons.
Coach Petersen emphasized that “connection” will be central to his coaching philosophy this season. “Connection is something I want this team to live out—in how they treat each other, how we coach, and how we represent SDSU,” he said. He noted that one veteran assistant coach is returning, joined by four new assistants who share his commitment to this mission.
This year’s roster includes nine returning players, two incoming freshmen, and three transfers. Petersen said the high number of returning athletes reflects the strong culture at SDSU. “The fact that so many players are staying is a sign of the kind of program and fan base we have here,” he told the club.
During the summer, Petersen worked with players over an eight-week session focusing on development, connection, and enjoyment of the game. “Summer is our chance to really pour into the players—help them grow, connect as a team, and have some fun,” he said. That session led into a four-week preseason program that included lifting, court drills, and team workouts. Official practice began September 22. “When practice starts, you can feel the season coming,” Petersen said.
When asked about the conference outlook, Petersen pointed to roster turnover as one of the biggest challenges facing programs today. “Retention is going to define a lot of teams’ success,” he explained. He also acknowledged the evolving NCAA rules that continue to shape college athletics. “The rules keep changing—it’s part of the job now. We have to be adaptable, but there are real opportunities if we do it right,” he said.
Petersen said fans can expect continuity in the team’s style of play. “We won’t be changing too much, but we are putting an emphasis on half-court execution and physicality,” he said. On recruiting, he reaffirmed his commitment to local athletes. “South Dakota kids will always be at the heart of our recruiting. We want to keep the best talent close to home,” Petersen said.