After a “nationwide” search led by University of Denver Director of Athletics Josh Berlo for a new head basketball coach, Berlo has reached to the prairies of northern Minnesota to select Tim Bergstraser, 34, the three-year head coach of NCAA Division II Minnesota State University-Moorhead Dragons. Between 2022 and 2025, the Dragons went 75-32 and reached the NCAA Division II tournament three times, including the Sweet 16 appearance last season.
Bergstraser replaces Jeff Wulbrun, who had been recently pushed out after four seasons at Denver in a controversial move that many Pioneer fans are still seeking to understand.
Minnesota State-Moorehead, known colloquially as ‘Moorhead’ or ‘MSUM’ is a regional D-II school with 7,500 students in the town of Moorhead, Minnesota, and sits just across the Red River from downtown Fargo, N.D. The Dragons are not to be confused with the Morehead (Ky.) State Eagles, an NCAA Division I school (and also spelled differently) in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Prior to becoming head coach for the Dragons, Bergstraser was an assistant coach at several D-II schools, including Minnesota-Moorehead, Quincy (Ill.), Wisconsin-River Falls, and St. Cloud (Minn.) State, where he played his college basketball for the Huskies. He is a native of St. Cloud, Minn.
Berlo, who came to Denver as the former athletic director at University of Minnesota Duluth — a Division II school in the same conference (NSIC) with Minnesota State-Moorhead in all sports except for ice hockey, is obviously quite familiar with Bergstraser, who also came highly recommended to Berlo by Justin Wieck, the current basketball coach at UMD.
By choosing a winning Division II coach for his Division I program, Berlo has likely chosen a far less expensive coach, who will now “look up” to Denver for his new opportunity in Division I. That can certainly help Berlo immediately, who must live within the resource constraints at DU, as well as providing a promising young coach with a rare D-I opportunity. But at the same time, we also don’t expect the hire to excite the fan base at Denver very much, as this comes at a very difficult time in the history of the DU program.
Many DU fans remain mystified (at best) and still angry (at worst) over the ugly Wulbrun departure process, so there are a lot of collective arms remaining somewhat crossed as DU fans react to the news of this hire. The early feedback is, frankly, not very enthusiastic. DU may be touting Bergstraser as a “proven winner,” but many, many doubts remain among the DU fans we’ve talked to so far. We’ll all meet Bergstraser at the press conference on Wednesday morning, and we hope to be impressed by him.
As I analyze this hire, Bergstraser obviously has some head coaching skills, as all three of his head coaching years have led to 25-win seasons, and he’s had some NCAA D-II tourney success. I also like that he’s young and hungry, suggesting that he may relate well to the player-centric Gen Z mindset. He has also coached for most of his career within the Summit League footprint of the upper midwest and thus has some familiarity with the players at many league schools.
However, as we all know, wins in Division II are not at all the same as wins in Division I. That’s a huge and perhaps the largest gap and the major source of DU fans’ coaching concerns. Division II athletes tend to lack the extreme quickness, the bigger and more athletic body types, and the higher skill levels seen in D-I. Thus, Bergstraser will be stepping into recruiting from a very different athlete pool. Most of Bergstraser’s players at Moorhead were from the immediate (and quite rural) region of the school, with a roster primarily from northern Minnesota and Wisconsin, to a school that graduates only about 45% of its general student body. Coming to Denver, he’ll need to attract high-level student-athletes from far beyond just the upper midwest, especially Black student athletes, who make up 60-65% of the Division I talent pool, many of whom will come from urban areas.
Beyond just hiring Bergstraser, DU fans also remain concerned about the general future of basketball at DU. We see scant evidence that DU, as a school, is truly committed to funding men’s basketball at the level it needs to be more successful.
Moreover, we also hope that DU has learned some lessons over the last few months. First, the way DU’s current basketball players were treated during the Wulbrun saga needs to change. We believe athletes are now partners in the athletics enterprise and need to be treated as such. This is a shift in mindset from the past, when coaching and facilities were the top priority for an administration. While those things still matter, including student-athletes in the decision-making process, discussing the future impact of decisions and more general transparency is equally important.
We also hope that DU will see that its hoops donors are partners as well. Most of them are still angry at the Wulbrun situation. With the growth of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) payments and increased capital requirements for D-I programs, major decisions should always include a communication plan to all key stakeholders to explain the ‘why’ of decisions. DU needs to create a common understanding and strategy for hoops into the future, and they need to sell it to us.
These two lessons can also be applied evenly to not just basketball but all sports going forward at DU. More than ever, athletic departments will become more reliant on the loyalty of their student-athletes and donors, and we hope to see the administration do a better job in the future.
I am reminded of a little story :
One day, Mrs. Swami and I were cruising down from Denver to New Mexico to feed a mutual green chile craving. Somewhere along I-25 south of Raton Pass, several New Mexico Highway Department road signs read “High Winds May Exist”.
Mrs. Swami, who is much wiser than I am, wondered from the passenger seat, “What’s up with those ‘High Winds May Exist’ signs?
I, given my usual propensity for “mansplaining,” smugly remarked, “It’s a warning for drivers, especially truckers, to be careful to maintain control of their vehicles in the high winds here.”
Mrs. Swami turned in her seat to face me, lowered her sunglasses, and glared straight at me.
“That’s not what I am asking you, honey,” she said in a somewhat sarcastic tone.
“It’s those last two words — ‘may exist’” — she said, in a suddenly more reflective tone. “Unicorns, Big Foot and tooth fairies also ‘may exist,’ she said. “But I expect state highway signs to be more definitive and less existential.”
“It’s just like DU basketball,” I said, suddenly steering the conversation back into more familiar territory. “The program started in 1904, and the NCAA D-I tournament started in 1946. DU has never been good enough to go to the NCAA Division I tournament – the big dance. The NCAA Tournament clearly ‘exists’, but just not for us Denver fans. Even just to get there to the final 68 teams would be a bigger exposure for our school than winning hockey, lacrosse, or soccer tourneys. I just hope the Pioneers can get there someday!”
“You’re saying high winds may exist?” repeated Mrs. Swami.
Indeed.
Let’s hope ‘high winds’ can turn to ‘high wins’ under Bergstraser.
Puck Swami is the internet nickname of a longtime Denver fan and alumnus. He shares his views periodically here at LetsGoDU.
Incredibly predictable low-ambition hiring. Nothing against Coach Bergstraser, I hope he proves me (and us) wrong, but this hire is the strongest indication that DU plans to operate this program at a bare minimum of funding with all time low aspirations.
If basketball remains the bottom of the totem pole for funding withing the athletic department, the program will continue to see dwindling long term fan attendance (of which, was already low) and will continue to live in the bottom depths of D1 basketball.
Coach Bergstraser – I apologize in advance for the lack of resources, marketing, and funding that the administration will eventually provide you (and I’m confident that the majority of promises that were made to you during your hiring process will be unfulfilled).
I honestly wish coach the best.
But the entire mess the AD has created and made me lose interest in a basketball program I followed since I went to school in the mid 80’s.
It was absolutely shameful and embarrassing how they treat coach Wilbrun and I hope the AD is gone soon.
Not known as Moorhead State. Known as MSU-Moorhead, MSUM, just Moorhead.
Kinda like it’s not Denver University or UD
Let’s at least listen to the presser on Wednesday before we decide this guy can’t coach.
Let’s call this what it is—another half-measure from an athletic department that clearly has no real vision or ambition for men’s basketball. This isn’t about Tim Bergstraser personally. He might be a great guy, and sure, he’s had success at the D-II level. But this hire is a reflection of DU’s priorities, not a bold move to elevate the program. A “nationwide search” led us to a D-II coach with regional ties to Berlo’s former circle? Come on.
What was the official reason Wulbrun was asked to resign or fired?
I’m guessing when he was hired Wulbrun was promised certain resources and those promises were not kept. Would appreciate any feedback.
I believe Mrs. Swami was my Philosophy 101 professor at DU.
On day 1 she threw out this question:
Why doesn’t the square like the hip?
Class confused, but eventually one kid raises his hand.
His response was: cause he hip
Mrs. Swami replied: that’s the best response I’ve ever heard. You have earned an “A” in my class on day 1.
Eventually the female professor told us we could all grade ourselves, thus everyone got an “A”.
Great class with a hot professor.
Honest question. If the program is a bad as we all say it is, what type of coach in a search are we gonna get? We could get a mid major assistant coach at best, correct? An assistant hasn’t run his own program. Doesn’t know if his philosophy has success. Hasn’t recruited his own players. He did what his head coach told him for the most part.
Or we could look at a winning D2 HC who has run his own program. Knows what of his philosophies work and what may not. Knows what he is looking for in his players. This guy did it in the Summit footprint too. Getting an east coast or West coast guy may not be great.
The NSIC has a good rep. Neither is going to be a sure fire home run, but I will take a chance on. Guy that has done it on his own for at least a little bit.
Good points. But the overarching issue here isn’t with the new hire, it’s the bush league handling of the Wulbrun situation.
Problem is, the NSIC has no rep in Denver. Still I hope your man makes DU in to a winner.
I’m forever the optimist. Maybe this is a good hire for three reasons: (1) track record of building a competitive program; (2) familiarity with recruiting territory may mean winning players from our conference peers; and (3) if we can’t afford a winning D1 coach maybe we make one from a D2 coach who hasn’t had his opportunity yet.
Bonus: He can’t jump to a spendy D1 program until he proves himself here.
I’ve been following college athletics for 50 years and I’ve never seen a coaching change handled with less transparency and in a more bizarre fashion than what transpired with Wulbrun and DU.
This is Dunker. Brian sounds like me. I’m still pissed at the Wulbrun dismissal. AD could have politely said some nice words about Jeff. Instead he made a mockery of the coaching change. I’m surprised Haefner and or the BOT would approve of Berlo’s handling of the situation. Maybe it proves they don’t care. I certainly hope the new coach is a home run. But saying we did a national search is ludicrous. We were too cheap to hire someone with enough proven success to at least bring us D-1 respectability. The new coach is a young man. If things don’t work out well for him at DU, what does he do then. I can’t even think clearly on this. Let’s just hope Bergs gives a great presser and gives us the feeling we’ve found a diamond in the rough. Maybe some of last year’s players show up, remove their name from the portal, and stay. I’m dreaming, aren’t I sports fans. Right now I’m thinking we could be the worst team in D-1 next season. Mississippi Valley State University, look out for
My oh my……
Aren’t we still having fun casting stones without knowing why the administration parted ways with Wulbrun.
I, for one, am looking forward to seeing what a young, but experienced, Coach Bergstraser can do. I predict he will turn heads and re-energize the basketball program at DU.
Obviously you’re friend’s with coach Bergstraser. Please tell us some insight on why you think he will be successful. We DU fans want him to succeed.
Let’s face it. DU is basically a DII program with DI status. Facility/ gym size, resources, NIL, etc.
Wulbrun was a bad bad dude, horrible coach, and got what he deserved, let go. Do you know how hard it is to fire someone during the season, that ought to tell you how bad it was behind the scenes and in the locker room. Just check the tapes more than once the sports announcer’s microphone was left on and he said Wulbrun is going to have a conniption at half time in the locker room. Wulbrun had a horrible temper and never took ownership of the team’s losses, he always blamed the players in every interview. He never took accountability for losing. Wulbrun had all the alumni and donors fooled thinking he was a good guy, he was a master manipulator and got what he deserved. No players not one came to his defense.
This new hire is a breath of fresh air and a much needed new start to the program.
And how do you know all this?
For our articles, we interviewed a handful of student-athletes. None of them witnessed physical or verbal abuse. Tough coaching – yes. Several compared Wulbrun to their past coaches and emphasized that Wulbrun’s coaching style intensity was similar to or, even less, than their prior coaches. Bergstraser calls himself “a fighter and a nasty competitor”. I expect him to be equally challenging, especially if their on-court results are not positive.
Is this you Berlo?
I am still confused as to why Mrs. Swami had an existential interpretation of a straightforward sign. Winds shift. Their presence in a particular area is unpredictable. They may exist at any moment, and they may not. She read too much into it. Sadly, she has no future as a truck driver, or as a drafter of road signs.
I understand your concerns on a young coach, but i saw Bergy coach last year and was very impressed. He gets good players, coaches smart in games and his players are family they work together. His team will play hard and smart. The transfers coming in will surprise you with their skills and hustle, very athletic and hard workers many had chancesto play D1 schools. I saw many NSIC games last year and i think several of their teams would finish in the top half of the summit league. I have seen them play as well. Good luck to you coach and i hope the fans will give you the support all coaches need from the students and fans. Hopefully the administration will give their best efforts also. We will see in the results next year but i think you will be pleasantly surprised.
As a former athlete and student at DU in the mid 80’s, I have to say DU has always tried to be a big fish in a small pond. The day Denver dropped football was the day the powers to be laid out the foot print that the administration was going to adhere to. Prior to the dropping of football after the 1960 season the team had 3 sub par seasons with losing records and declining attendance. The school lacked the foresight to realize losing seasons correlate to slumping attendance. Had the school had thought outside the box and made a splash hire similar to what Colorado has done with Prime Time, maybe things would have changed the future of Pioneer athletics. No offense to all the fine student athletes that have worn the Crimson and gold. The day DU dropped football was the beginning of decline of importance athletics at the school. When DU had football the conference helped build the rivalries that keep the student body interest high. When Chancellor Richie had the foresight to help DU return to D1 status the damage was already done. DU had to settle for the Sunbelt Conference which had no natural rivalries. Yes, attendance was better for the Basketball program for the first few years but eventually attendance dwindled again and DU returned to its glorified High School gym to compete. Moving forward I would hope the school would market the program better, move the games back into Magness as a short term solution to goal that will lead to the University building a better facility for Basketball. I wish the new Coach the best of luck. I dream of the day DU makes the tourney in Hoops.
Make it make sense.
DU Men’s Basketball was finally gaining ground under a staff that brought real pedigree and leadership to the program. Jeff Wulbrun, a veteran coach with deep ties across Division I basketball and decades of experience at Stanford, UAB, and Illinois State, had begun to build a foundation rooted in player development and competitive culture.
Supporting him were heavy-hitters like Shamond Williams, a former NBA player and standout at North Carolina, whose basketball IQ and credibility opened doors with recruits and inspired players. Then you had Bill Peterson, with over 40 years of coaching experience, including roles at Baylor, Colorado State, and the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks. This was a coaching team with knowledge, networks, and a clear commitment to elevating DU’s program.
And now—Tim Bergstraser?
A DII head coach with no DI coaching experience, who showed up and didn’t even bother meeting with players already on the roster and didn’t honor a single new commit before shipping in his old DII recruits—only one of whom might be ready for this level. The rest are going to struggle. Just watch the film.
This isn’t bold. It’s delusional. A reckless restart with no regard for the foundation already laid, the progress already made, or the athletes who gave everything to the program. A number of players wanted to stay. They were talented. They were loyal. They were ignored.
At the center of this chaos is AD Josh Berlo—who continues to operate with zero transparency, zero leadership, and zero accountability. His hiring decisions have dismantled momentum, disregarded the student-athletes, and shown a shocking lack of understanding of what it takes to build a respected DI program.
This isn’t just a sports issue—it’s an institutional one. Berlo’s decisions don’t just reflect poorly on Athletics. They reflect poorly on the University of Denver.
And yes—people are noticing.
DU deserves better. The players deserve better. And the administration owes this community an explanation.