Randall Herbst is making a return to Minot State University, this time as the Beavers’ new head men’s basketball coach.
Minot State’s Vice President for Student Affairs and Intercollegiate Athletics, Kevin Harmon, announced that Herbst has signed a contract to become the 16th head coach in the history of the program. Herbst previously spent two seasons in Minot as an assistant coach under Matt Murken.
“On behalf of Minot State University, I’m thrilled to welcome Randall Herbst as our next head men’s basketball coach,” Harmon said. “Coach Herbst has a strong record in the NSIC, and his deep understanding of our conference and the region makes him the right person to lead us forward. His earlier time in Minot and his strong regional ties will help us build a winning culture here.”
University President Dr. Steven Shirley also welcomed the news. “With Coach Herbst’s experience in North Dakota, the Upper Midwest, and the NSIC, we’re excited to have him back at MSU. We look forward to his leadership and vision for our basketball program.”
Herbst joins the Beavers after spending the past three seasons as the top assistant at the University of North Dakota under head coach Paul Sather. This was his second time with the UND program. Before that, he served two seasons as an assistant at Minot State and now replaces Matt Murken, who recently took an assistant coach role at the University of South Dakota.
“I’m truly honored and excited to return to Minot State,” Herbst said on Monday. “Being a head coach again is a great opportunity, and I’m looking forward to bringing an exciting brand of basketball to the Magic City.”
During his previous stint at Minot State, Herbst coached through the 2020–21 COVID-shortened season and the 2021–22 season. The team posted a 26-17 record and reached the NSIC semifinals in his first year.
Herbst expressed gratitude to the university’s leadership team. “I want to thank President Dr. Steven Shirley, Vice President Kevin Harmon, Vice President Rick Hedberg, Dr. Kristi Berg, and Associate Athletic Directors Jordan Boisner and Janna McKechnie. This is a dream come true. Minot is a special place, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Herbst will begin his coaching duties this Thursday. A public “Meet and Greet” is scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday in the Beaver Dam at the Minot State Student Center.
Herbst brings more than two decades of college basketball experience, including four seasons as a head coach. He had a standout run at the University of Mary, compiling a 39-19 record in two seasons, including a 23-6 mark in 2010-11, when he was named a finalist for National Coach of the Year.
At Mary, he coached All-American Anthony Moody and First-Team All-NSIC player Eric Erdmann. His first head coaching role was at Waldorf College from 1998 to 2000, where he led the team to a 34-27 record and ranked No. 1 nationally in defense both seasons.
His career head coaching record stands at 72-47.
“Minot State hit a home run with this hire,” said UND’s Paul Sather. “Randall is a great leader, a strong recruiter, and the right person to lead the Beavers. He knows this region better than anyone.”
Beyond his head coaching experience, Herbst has held assistant roles across NCAA Division I and II programs. These include two terms at North Dakota, two at Nebraska-Omaha, and four years at Wisconsin-Green Bay, where he helped the Phoenix reach the NCAA Tournament.
He also worked at Florida Southern, Lincoln Memorial, and began his career at North Iowa Area Community College, where he won the 1995 NJCAA Division II National Championship.
While at North Dakota (2000–2006), Herbst coached several top players, including Jerome Beasley, who became the NCAA Division II Player of the Year in 2003 and was drafted by the Miami Heat.
At Wisconsin-Green Bay, he coached several standout players, including Amari Davis (2020 Horizon League Freshman of the Year) and Sandy Cohen (First-Team Horizon League).
During his time at Nebraska-Omaha, Herbst helped the team win a school-record 25 games and qualify for postseason play at both the Division II and Division I levels. He recruited key players such as Tra-Deon Hollins, a two-time First-Team All-Summit League and Defensive Player of the Year, and J.T. Gibson, Minnesota’s 2015 Mr. Basketball.
Herbst was also a two-sport athlete in college, earning All-Region honors in both baseball and basketball. He was an NJCAA Academic All-American in both sports at Waldorf and was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2016.
He completed his college career at Winona State, where he helped the baseball team reach the 1992 NAIA World Series semifinals and finished his basketball career with 1,031 points. Herbst graduated cum laude with a degree in Physical Education and later earned a master’s in Sports Administration from Minnesota State, Mankato.
Herbst returns to Minot with his wife, Kari Ann, their daughter Liza, and son Jude.
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