Marshall, Minn.: Southwest Minnesota State University mens basketball head coach Greg Stemen announced today that Brad Bigler, who has spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach on the Mustang staff, has been promoted to associate head coach.

Brad has been actively involved with the Mustang basketball program for nine of the past ten seasons as a player, a graduate assistant and as the full-time assistant coach, Stemen said. His loyalty and commitment to Southwest and to the mens basketball program are second to none.

After spending two seasons as a graduate assistant from 2003-05, Bigler was elevated to full-time assistant coach for the 2005-06 season. He also serves as the programs recruiting coordinator.

Brad is an outstanding recruiter, an excellent on-the-floor coach, and he commands the respect of the players. Stemen said. Most importantly, coach Bigler possesses the abilities necessary to be an outstanding head coach at this level.

A native of Fort Madison, Iowa, Bigler spent five seasons in the Mustang mens basketball program from 1997-2002 and left the program as one of the winningest players in school history.

A point guard for SMSU, he played on the 2001 NSIC and North Central Region championship team that went to the NCAA Elite Eight in Bakersfield, Calif. He ended his career playing in 118 games and currently ranks third all-time in assists with 286. During his four-year playing career SMSU finished with a record of 83-36.

With Brads help, we have found a way to maximize our resources and put together a team of high quality young men who we believe will compete for a conference championship, Stemen said. Im pleased to name Brad Bigler our associate head coach for SMSU mens basketball, he is extremely deserving of the title and the accompanying responsibilities.

After finishing his playing career, Bigler spent the 2002-03 season as the girls basketball head coach at Lakeview High School in Cottonwood, Minn., before returning to SMSU.

A 2003 graduate of SMSU with a bachelors degree in health/physical education, Bigler is completing his masters degree in education leadership from SMSU. Brad and his wife Heather live in Marshall.