April 14, 2025

MADISON, S.D. – The Dakota State University Athletics department has announced the men's basketball head coach Darren Tighe accepted the similar position at the NCAA Division II University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D.

He spent the last two seasons at Dakota State with 29-30 record.  Tighe guided the Trojans to a pair of North Star Athletic Association postseason tournament's semifinal appearances.

Tighe's first season at Dakota State saw their first winning season in eight seasons with a record of 17-13.  The highlights during the season included matching the school record of nine consecutive wins and experiencing their first postseason home victory at DSU Fieldhouse since 2016.  The 17 victories were the most wins by a head coach in the first year at Dakota State.

The Trojans finished 12-17 overall record in 2024-25 season.  The Trojans also earned their first exhibition victory over the NCAA Division II team in nearly a decade, defeating Nebraska-Kearney.

A national search for Dakota State University men's basketball head coach will start immediately.