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CITY,ND (NEWSDAKOTA.COM)-Ryan Montgomery has been named head men’s basketball coach at Valley City State University. VCSU athletic director Nate Stewart made the announcement Thursday.

“The Viking community is excited about Ryan Montgomery joining us,” said Stewart. “He has a solid grasp on what’s needed to shape and maintain a top program, and we’re looking forward to seeing his positive impact on our team and our university.”

Montgomery has served as assistant coach at Bemidji State University (BSU) in Bemidji, Minn., since 2010; from 2008–10 he served as a graduate assistant at BSU. Montgomery coached four years under current BSU head coach Mike Boschee, a native of Valley City.

At BSU, Montgomery served as recruiting coordinator and was active in all phases of the Beaver men’s basketball program, including individual player development, academic progress, game preparation, and team travel. Montgomery also served as camp coordinator and instructor; in his career, he has worked more than 100 player development camps.

During his tenure on the Bemidji staff, the Beavers went 87-81, including shares of two Northern Sun conference titles and a program best 22-9 record and an NCAA Division II tournament appearance in the 2011–12 campaign.

Prior to joining BSU, Montgomery served as assistant coach in 2007–08 at his alma mater, Plainview-Elgin-Millville High School in Plainview, Minn.

The VCSU Vikings men’s basketball team is coming off a 22-11 season, including their second NAIA national tournament appearance and a first-round tourney win. Montgomery succeeds Jeff Kaminsky, who departed Valley City State after 11 seasons to become head coach at Wayne State College in Nebraska.

Montgomery holds a master’s degree in sport studies from BSU and a bachelor’s degree in exercise sports science with a minor in psychology from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn., where he played college basketball. His wife, Trista, is an outdoor enthusiast and a fitness and yoga instructor.

“I would like to thank AD Nate Stewart and the search committee for providing me with this great opportunity to become VCSU’s head men’s basketball coach,” said Montgomery. “I believe Valley City, VCSU, and its basketball program are a great fit for my wife and I. We are truly excited to make the move and become a part of the Viking tradition.”