Williston State College women's basketball coach Tom Suelzle announced his retirement from coaching this week, causing movement of other coaches within the athletic program to fill the vacancy.
Hunter Berg, who switched four years ago from head women's coach to head men's coach, will flip back to the women's side next season. Berg will hand the men's program off to assistant coach Eric Peterson.
Suelzle won two Region XIII championships in four years at WSC and made a trip to the national tournament in 2009-2010. He was the Mon-Dak coach of the year in 2009-2010 and the region coach of the year in 2009-2010 and 2011-2012.
Before arriving at WSC, Suelzle enjoyed a long run at Watford City High School. He ends his 34-year coaching career with a 578-210 overall record.
"After much thought and consideration, I have decided to retire from my coaching position at Williston State College," Suelzle said in a press release. "It was a very difficult decision as coaching has been a big part of my life for the past 34 years.
"I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with the athletes and coaches that I have the past years. I would like to thank Williston State and the community for their support and wish our programs continued success."
Berg, who also serves as WSC's athletic director, said he is excited to rejoin the women's program.
"I loved coaching the women's team during my first six years at the college and am looking forward to working with the women's program again," Berg said in a press release. "There are many bright spots for all of our programs and this is an exciting start to a new chapter of Teton athletics."
Peterson served as assistant men's coach for the Tetons twice, sandwiching his stints around a gig as top assistant at Minnesota State-Moorhead from 2009-2011.
"There is a winning tradition here at Williston State within all of our athletic programs," Peterson said in a press release. "Coach (Terry) Olson and Berg have guided the basketball program to be one of the better programs at the NJCAA level. Our facilities and community support are second to none. I am very honored to have this opportunity and I can't wait to get started."
Said Berg: "I'm excited to see Eric take over the men's basketball program. ... He's a great fit for our program, is a tireless recruiter and runs a first-class program. Teton basketball is in good hands."