MITCHELL, SD (DWUAthletics.com) – Dakota Wesleyan University announced Tuesday that Head Football Coach Ross Cimpl has been hired as the University’s new Director of Athletics.  Cimpl was appointed interim director in November.  In addition to Cimpl’s appointment, DWU president Dan Kittle also announced that Jason Christensen, head women’s basketball coach, will serve a dual role as coach and in a newly created position, Associate Director of Athletics, responsible for facilities and fundraising.  Football offensive coordinator Alex Kretzschmar has been appointed the new head football coach of the Tigers.

Since taking over the Dakota Wesleyan University football team in 2010, Cimpl guided the Tigers to seven winning seasons.  Cimpl is second in all-time wins by a coach in DWU football history.

Prior to coming to DWU, Cimpl helped coach the 42-1 football dynasty at the University of Sioux Falls, where he graduated with his baccalaureate degree in 2007 and his master’s degree in 2010.  Cimpl and his wife, Linda, live in Mitchell with their three children, Preston, Porter and Charlee.

About his appointment Cimpl said, “I would like to thank President Kittle for the opportunity.  There is so much positive momentum within this department, and it is a privilege to take on this responsibility.  In this role, I want to continue to enhance the student athlete experience at DWU, while working with the community of Mitchell to put DWU in the forefront of the GPAC conference and the NAIA. I am really looking forward to promoting our student-athletes in a more intentional manner. We want to talk about their tremendous stories and accomplishments.”

President Dan Kittle expressed confidence in Cimpl as he undertakes his new role.  “As a coach, Ross is a leader who cares about people and strives to put them in the best possible position to succeed.  He has developed student-athletes to be leaders, to prioritize their academics and to go on to lead lives of meaning and purpose.  I am grateful that he’s accepted the call to leadership at DWU and I look forward to working even more closely with him.”

Longtime Head Women’s Basketball Coach Jason Christensen will continue in his coaching role but will also assume duties as Associate Director of Athletics in the areas of fundraising and facilities management for the Tigers.  Christensen, who has coached at DWU for fourteen seasons, including the national championship 2018 team, is a past GPAC Coach of the Year.

Christensen sees great potential in his new role.  “Having been born and raised in Mitchell, along with spending a vast majority of my life here, I have been able to form an abundant number of relationships in the community and the surrounding areas. From coaching high school girls’ basketball to coaching at DWU, I have had the opportunity to take those relationships to another level. Now, in this new role, I feel like those relationships are going to help me be successful. I am excited for this new opportunity and I’m looking forward to achieving what I can for our Athletic Department.”

Kittle reinforced Christensen’s commitment to DWU and to Mitchell. “If anyone ‘bleeds blue,’ it is Jason Christensen.  With these new responsibilities, he will bring that passion to strengthening DWU Athletics, the university as whole, and ultimately will have a positive impact on our entire Mitchell community.”

Alex Kretzschmar has a wide range of coaching experiences including stints at Valley City State, Dakota State, Colby College, St. Ambrose University and North Park University.  He has worked with Special Teams, Defensive Backs and as Offensive Coordinator for DWU.

Kretzschmar had this to say: “Words can’t express how grateful and honored I am to be chosen by President Kittle and Coach Cimpl as DWU’s next head football coach. Our entire program is excited for the upcoming season and the opportunity to compete against some of the best teams in the country.”

Said President Kittle, “First and foremost, Alex wants to be a leader of student-athletes, helping shape them into people that strive to reach their full potential.  He feels called to do that work through football and I am eager to offer him my support as the new head football coach.”

All appointments take effect immediately.