Tighe reaches 100 wins in coaching career

With Sunday night's victory (Jan.19th) over the Dakota State Trojans in Madison, S.D., Mayville State Head Men's Basketball Coach Darren Tighe reached 100 wins in his young coaching career.

"I’ve had the opportunity to be part of great teams with great players and great assistant coaches. None of these wins are because of any one person with a singular focus," Tighe said. "That number is a tribute to a lot of hard work for a lot of people and I'm just happy to be a part of it."

MSU Athletic Director Ryan Hall praised the third-year head coach's efforts since becoming the leader of the Comet men's basketball team.

"Seeing what Coach Tighe has done with the basketball program in the year and a half I have been here has been nothing short of outstanding," Hall said. "While the numbers, wins, and championships on the court in a competitive conference is extraordinary and seen by all, his young men off of the court are just as impressive."

Since becoming head coach at Mayville State, Coach Tighe has racked up 52 wins for the blue and white, along with two North Star Athletic Association Conference Tournament Championships and back-to-back NAIA National Tournament appearances. He also recently coached two players that received conference and nationwide recognition, Gorg Alhag capped off a stellar career with the Comets by earning Honorable Mention All-American honors, NSAA 1st Team All-Conference, and NSAA Tournament MVP in the 2018-19 season, and Daniel Lindgren finished his career with the Comets by being voted NSAA 2nd Team All-Conference last season. Alhag and Lindgren were also able to become members of the 1,000-point club for their careers.

The Comets have been just as impressive in the classroom under Coach Tighe, 26 men's basketball players have been named NSAA Scholar-Athletes over the past two years and his teams have produced eight individuals that have been named NAIA Academic All-Americans.

“Am I surprised? No, not at all.” commented Assistant Coach Dalton Kleinschmidt. “I’ve known Darren a good chunk of my life and he’s carried the same competitive spirit since high school when he was a standout player for our Cedar Mountain Cougars. Joining his staff at Mayville has been nothing short of an amazing ride. We’ve beaten nationally ranked opponents, lost some heart-breakers, hung some championship banners in the rafters, and graduated our seniors. Our university and community is lucky to have a guy like Darren who cares about players success on and off the floor. He holds everyone, including himself, accountable. His dedication is something very few coaches have but it’s what makes him special at his job.”

Prior to coming to Mayville State, Tighe was the head coach at Ridgewater Junior College in Willmar, Minn. where he led the Warriors to a program turn around. After taking over a team that won just six games the year before, Tighe improved the team's win total to nine wins in year one before helping skyrocket the team to a two-year total of 39-16 over the next two seasons.

The Comets currently sit at 14-2 overall and 4-0 in North Star matchups so far this season. With Coach Tighe at the helm, the Comets will be a team to be reckoned with in the North Star and should be one of the favorites to win the NSAA Conference Tournament and make a third consecutive NAIA National Tournament appearance in March. The Comets are currently ranked 24th in the nation in the NAIA Division II league.

"Whether in the classroom, in the community, or the product that is put on the floor, the culture and brotherhood that Coach Tighe has developed for this program is fascinating and really special to watch and support," Athletic Direct Ryan Hall said. "I congratulate Coach Tighe on this great milestone as it is a testament to his passion and work ethic to his profession."