Niemuth enters a class of his own
Jeremy Reinert '13
Defeating Wartburg on Wednesday, Jan. 21, a disciplined Simpson women's basketball team not only held off a conference title contender, but gifted 25th-year head coach Brian Niemuth with the honor of becoming the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's winningest women's basketball coach in league history.
Collecting his 294th conference win, Niemuth surpassed former Luther head coach Jane Hildebrand, who went 293-155 in IIAC play in 27 seasons from 1984-2011. A tremendous achievement for which many acknowledge his accomplishments and admire his success, Niemuth spoke humbly about the team which made him the most proud.
"This is going to sound a little funny, but the team that sticks out in my mind the most is a team that was under .500," Niemuth said. "It was a team of players who maybe weren't as talented as a lot of the teams I've had, but their attitude, how they got a long, their work ethic ... [it] was truly one of the teams that was the most fun to coach."
Teams with losing records are a rarity under Niemuth. In fact, 23 of his 25 teams have finished with a winning record. But Niemuth doesn't gauge success on wins and losses - for him, it's all about reaching potential.
"I determine success by whether or not a team reaches its potential," Niemuth said.
Elizabeth Curry, who is in her third year as an assistant under Niemuth, has experienced plenty of success in her career. She played and coached at the NCAA Division I level under legendary Tennessee women's basketball coach, Pat Summitt.
"After being at Tennessee under coach Summitt with a program based on history, tradition and success, it's what you want to continue under," Curry said. "You learn that it's about the people and the staff you work for. Whether it's Division I or Division III, it's about doing it right and being able to enjoy the process."
Though Niemuth has experienced plenty of success during his tenure, as any veteran coach will tell you, he has had his fair share of adversity.
This year over winter break the Storm ventured to a tournament in Las Vegas, Nev. Niemuth wasn't in attendance, however, as he flew home early due to illness, left to deal with the uneasy thoughts about how his team would perform without him.
"That was a little scary," Niemuth said. "But the ladies did a great job. It was probably worse for me because I had never been through that before. I was a bundle of nerves, wondering if they were behaving themselves, if they were going to play well, whether or not I had been a distraction for them … but the assistants did a great job and it turned out really well."
Though Niemuth hadn't missed a game until this season, his worrisome attitude is nothing new. Senior Stacey Schutjer believes Niemuth is very superstitious.
"If we lose a game he won't wear that same outfit the rest of the season," Schutjer said. "He will keep the practice schedule the same if we are winning - if not, he'll change it up."
Throughout his 25 years at Simpson, Niemuth has built an impressive resume which includes: 10 IIAC championships, nine NCAA tournament berths, two Sweet 16 appearances and four IIAC Coach of the Year honors. Niemuth currently boasts an overall record of 476-191 and on Feb. 15, became the first coach to reach 300 Iowa Conference wins after the Storm beat Central 83-61.
"I have learned that it is hard to get to the top, but harder to stay at the top," Niemuth said. "You have to work hard to get players and get them to buy in. It takes a lot of people - assistants, friends, players ... it takes a village to get to that point."
Despite the gaudy numbers put up in his career, what sets Niemuth apart from others, in Curry's eyes, is the care he shows for his athletes and the love of the game.
"He genuinely loves the game and cares about the players," Curry said. "When you have those two things you have fun with what you're doing. It's not just a job - he wants to go out and get wins and do things right, but at the end of the day he cares about the student-athletes."
With Wednesday's win over Central, Simpson clinched at least a share of its fifth-straight Iowa Conference Championship and the 10th under Niemuth. A win against Loras on Saturday would give Simpson the outright title after having shared it the last two seasons with Coe. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. from Simpson's Cowles Fieldhouse.
