Dave Thorson joined the Bulldogs' coaching staff on April 14, 2017, after 23 wildly successful years as the head coach at DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis, Minn.
At DeLaSalle, Thorson won nine state championships, including the program’s sixth-straight title in 2017, and amassed a 527-130 record in his 23 seasons. The nine state championships are the most by a coach in state history while the six-year championship streak is also a state record. His teams also finished as state runners-up twice, third once and fourth once.
“Adding a coach of Dave’s caliber is tremendous for Drake basketball,” said Drake head coach Niko Medved. “Dave is the entire package. He’s one of the best coaches in the history of Minnesota and one of the best coaches I know. He’s a tremendous leader and communicator who develops players in all areas of their lives. His vision is in direct alignment with my vision and the mission of Drake University.”
Thorson’s teams captured 20 Tri-Metro Conference championships and won a conference record 72-straight games from 1998-02. He was named the Minnesota Class 3A Coach of the Year in 2005, 2006, 2016 and 2017 and was a 12-time Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association Region Coach of the Year.
“I am totally committed to Niko’s vision and I think Drake basketball has the potential to be extremely successful,” Thorson said. “Having the opportunity to work with Niko is a total win-win for me. He’s a great friend, but more than that he is a great leader and his vision is something that I believe in. It is a great opportunity to come to a university like Drake and to work with a leader like him.”
He began his coaching career as an assistant at South Dakota in 1989 and Minnesota from 1990-94. In addition to his legendary career at DeLaSalle, he also served as the Islanders’ Vice President of Development and secured more than $29 million in funds for DeLaSalle including the largest single and planned gifts in school history.
