Mike Larsen was named the 12th head coach of Montana Western men’s basketball program in April 2018. In his four seasons at the helm, Larsen has guided the Bulldogs to a 46-66 (.410) overall record.
He has coached two NAIA All-Americans, a Frontier Conference Freshman of the Year, ten all-conference selections, 20 academic all-conference selections, and nine Daktronics Scholar-Athletes.
UMW (2018-Present)
The 2021-22 season saw the Bulldogs go 19-13 overall which included semifinals appearance in the conference tournament. The Bulldogs finished third in conference play. The season saw one All-American honorable mention in Jalen Hodges, four academic all-conference players, and three all-conference players.
The 2020-21 season was shortened due to COVID-19. The Bulldogs finished 7-13. winning six conference games. The Bulldogs finished 24th in the nation in assist/turnover ratio (1.27). Max Clark was ranked fourth in the nation with 6.5 assists per game.
The 2019-20 season saw the Bulldogs take a step forward with a 11-19 record. Which included a road win over ninth ranked Carroll College in Helena. The Bulldogs finished 11th in the nation in assist/turnover ratio (1.33) with Max Clark finishing 10th in the country with an assist/turnover ratio of 2.8.
In 2018-19 Larsen was tasked with rebuilding a program that lost three NAIA All-Americans off the previous year’s roster. The Bulldogs went 9-21 and finished strong down the stretch upsetting the #22 team in the country and rival Montana Tech in back-to-back games. UMW led by seven points over Division I Idaho State in the second half on the road in Pocatello. The Bulldogs finished second in the conference in made 3-Point field goals with 155. Junior All-Conference player Cedric Boone helped lead this attack as he finished 35th in the country in 3 Point Field Goals Made (77).
Assistant Coaching Career
Dakota State University (2011-2018) Larsen joined the Trojan coaching staff as an assistant coach under Gary Garner in the 2011-12 season. In seven seasons at Dakota State University the Trojans won to back-back conference championships and qualified for the National Tournament four times. He helped establish a school record nine-game winning streak, capture a NorthStar Athletic Association postseason tournament championship and advance to the NAIA quarterfinals in 2013. The Trojans also recorded double digits wins for eight straight seasons for the first time in over 20 years while Larsen was on staff.
Larsen also coached one year of high school basketball in Missouri and led the Northwest Nodaway Blue Jays to the conference finals.
Playing Career (Northwest Missouri State)
As a player, Larsen played three years at Northwest Missouri State University. He started 43 of the 84 games he played in. Shooting 38.4 percent from the field and 39.5 3-point range. He averaged 5.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and two assists per game. He was a member of two conference championship teams and qualified for the NCAA Division II National Tournament twice.
At Juan Diego Catholic High School he was an first-team All-State selection and helped capture a State Championship.
Personal
Larsen graduated from Northwest Missouri State with a degree in Corporate Recreation and a minor in Coaching in July 2011. He graduated with his Master's in Education Technology at Dakota State University. Mike and his wife Kati live in Dillon with their three children Natalie (9), Ellie (5), and Blaine (1).
