The Spearfish Spartans will have a new leader on the sidelines next season. Head Boys Basketball Coach Ben Schultz announced Thursday that he has accepted the head coaching position at Sioux Falls Roosevelt, according to a post on the Spearfish Boys Basketball Facebook page.
In his announcement, Schultz thanked the Spearfish community and his athletes, saying the program’s success “belongs solely to the individuals who decided to make competing a habit daily.” He added that he will “always have a deep appreciation for Spearfish” and expressed confidence that the Spartans will continue to compete at a high level.
Schultz leaves behind a program that saw steady, measurable growth throughout his four-year tenure from 2022 to 2026. He compiled a 46–39 overall record, increasing the team’s win total every season—from six victories in his first year to fifteen this past season. Under his guidance, the Spartans reemerged as a contender in Class AA, highlighted by hosting two SoDak 16 games, winning one in overtime, and earning the program’s first state tournament appearance in more than a decade.
The Spartans qualified for the Class AA State Tournament in 2023–24, finishing seventh. Schultz’s teams reached the SoDak 16 in three of his four seasons, hosting two of those matchups.
During his tenure, Schultz coached and developed multiple standout athletes. He inherited key contributors such as Seth Hamilton, Antonio Serrano, and Caden Langenfeld, while helping elevate players like Dylon Doren, Bennett Kortan, Kamren Davis, Ashar Hodgs, and Cooper Gibbs to collegiate-level basketball prospects.
The future remains bright for Spearfish, with a strong core returning next season. Leading scorer Kade Vavruska and assist leader Mason Southern headline a talented group of returning starters, supported by contributors including Karsen Seyer, Tucker Olson, Keegan Ozuna, Alex Eisner, and Payton Jones. A promising freshman class also showed depth at the JV and C Team levels.
Schultz now heads to Sioux Falls Roosevelt, one of the premier Class AA programs of the past decade. The Roughriders, who finished third at last season’s state tournament, won back-to-back state titles in 2021 and 2022 and compiled a 140–88 record under former coach Mitch Begeman. Schultz inherits a skilled roster but will need to replace five graduating seniors. Roosevelt’s up tempo, aggressive style aligns closely with the identity Schultz established in Spearfish.
A search for the next Spearfish Boys Basketball head coach is expected to begin in the coming weeks.
