DENVER – University of Denver men's basketball newly appointed head coach Tim Bergstraser has hired three to his first coaching staff with the Pioneers, Bergstraser announced on Thursday.  
 
Former MSUM associate head coach Spenser Bland joins Bergstraser in their move from the NSIC program to the Mile High City, and will serve in the same role at DU. A familiar face in Summit League circles, Western Illinois associate head coach Kyle Heikkinen joins Bergstraser's staff as an assistant, and former Macalester (NCAA DIII) head coach Abe Woldeslassie will also be an assistant on Bergstraser's staff.  
 
"This group of coaches is going to have a massive sense of pride in seeing DU succeed," Bergstraser said. "We have a well-rounded group coming in that cares about the student-athlete experience. Individually I know these men are relentless workers, have a great sense of humility and will strongly focus on the development of the players in our program."   
 
Bergstraser and Bland coached together on the MSU Moorhead staff in six of the previous seven seasons, including all three years of Bergstraser's head coaching tenure. Bland recently completed his second season as the associate head coach for the Dragons. Over the last three seasons Bergstraser and Bland helped guide the Dragons to a 75-22 record (.773%), ranking among the highest winning percentages over that time span in the NCAA across all levels. 
 
"I am beyond excited to bring Spenser on staff at DU," Bergstraser said. "His loyalty is  unmatched and he is a guy I've been in the trenches with for many years. He will represent this program to the highest standard and bring an exceptional level of coaching for our student athletes. The way he teaches and builds meaningful relationships will have a great impact on our team and the University as a whole. He has proven to dominate all aspects of operating a program. I can't wait to have Spenser and his family come to Denver." 
 
Bland and the Dragons went 25-9 last season, winning their second conference tournament title in three years and reaching the NCAA Round of 16 before having their 13-game winning streak snapped in the NCAA Central Regional Final. In the 2023-24 season, the Dragons were ranked as high as No. 1 in the country for the first time in program history and qualified for an at-large bid for the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Bland played an important role in the on-court growth of four student-athletes that earned All-NSIC honors in the 2023-24 campaign. In 2022-23, Bland's offense led the entire NCAA in turnovers per game, only surrendering possession 8.2 times per contest. BLAND'S FULL BIO
 
"I couldn't be more excited to be a part of DU men's basketball, this prestigious institution and the incredible city of Denver," Bland said. "I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to continue to work alongside Coach Bergstraser as a part of his inaugural staff as he leads the Pioneer men's basketball program into a new era. Getting the chance to represent Denver men's basketball and the University as a whole is something I do not take for granted. Nobody is more ready or deserving of this opportunity than Coach Bergstraser, and I cannot wait to eagerly support his vision and plans for the program. We will work tirelessly to push the program to new heights and pursue excellence among our group both on and off the court. My family and I are so excited to start this journey together in Denver." 
 
Heikkinen recently completed his fifth season on the Western Illinois coaching staff, originally hired under previous head coach Rob Jeter during the Leathernecks time in the Summit League before staying on under current head coach Chad Boudreau. In his time in Macomb, Heikkinen helped construct the highest-ranked recruiting class in program history, of which three student-athletes went on to be named to All-Summit League teams and three more earned All-Ohio Valley team honors after the program made its conference transition following the 2022-23 season.
 
"Kyle is very familiar with high level basketball and coaching in the Summit League," Bergstraser said. "He tirelessly works on recruiting and will buy into bringing in players that fit the model of being at the University of Denver. On top of being a great recruiter, he is a proven coach that connects well with his players, transforming them as players and people." 
 
Heikkinen helped guide the Leathernecks to their most wins, their most conference wins, their most road wins and their longest winning streak in a decade, a stretch that included a trio of postseason tournament invites.  
 
The Wisconsin-Whitewater alum was promoted from assistant to associate head coach ahead of the 2023-24 season, and was given the keys to guide the program's defensive strategy. In his first season as the defensive coordinator, the Leathernecks finished 22^nd in the country in scoring defense (65.7), 20^th in field goal percentage defense (40.6), eighth in blocked shots per game (5.6) and third in rebounds per game (42.33). Heikkinen was the lead recruiter for Drew Cisse, who was named OVC Defensive Player of the Year in 2023-24. HEIKKINEN'S FULL BIO
 
"My family and I could not be more excited to be a part of the Pio family," Heikkinen said. "We are fortunate and blessed to be able to join Coach Bergy on this journey at such a prestigious institution. DU has a rich tradition both academically and athletically. I'm looking forward to not only continuing that tradition but pushing the bar and standard higher. Under Tim's guidance, the future of Pioneer basketball is extremely bright."  
 
Woldeslassie has been a head coach at his Division III alma mater in the last seven seasons at Macalester inside the Summit League footprint. Taking over a program that had won just 35 games in the previous 10 seasons prior to his arrival, Woldeslassie nearly doubled that total, recording 66 wins at the Saint Paul, Minnesota institution. 
 
"Abe is going to have an immediate impact at the University of Denver," Bergstraser said. "He is coming from a prestigious academic school that aligns with DU's standards. Abe is extremely connected across the nation and will help us bring a wide network of players. His head coaching experience and professionalism will be a major asset for this program and I can't wait for him to hit campus." 
 
In 2021-22, his squad finished 15-13 and were the first six seed in MIAC history to reach the conference's title game. The following season, the Scots finished 15-11 and earned fourth in the MIAC, the program's best record and best conference finish since the 2003-04 campaign. The 15 wins in both seasons are the program's third-most in its 40-year history. Woldeslassie was named the D3Hoops.com Region 9 Coach of the Year after the 2021-22 campaign. WOLDESLASSIE FULL BIO
 
"It is an honor to join Tim Bergstraser's staff and the strong community at the University of Denver," Woldeslassie said. "DU is a special institution that offers a transformative academic and athletic experience. I am excited to work with all of DU to help build a winning program in the Mile High City." 
 
Prior to taking his first head coaching post, Woldeslassie spent two seasons as an assistant at Siena, helping the Saints reach the MAAC Championship Game in 2017. 
 
2025-26 SEASON TICKETS: Bergstraser's first season in charge of the Denver men's basketball program will tipoff in November. Season tickets for the 2025-26 season are on sale now and can be purchased here.  
 
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