Petersen still growing as Kirkwood coach

CEDAR RAPIDS — Bryan Petersen is still learning as he goes.

The former Iowa State guard is in his third season at the helm of the Kirkwood men's basketball team, and even through 84 games as head coach at a 64-20 record, he's still finding ways to improve and make his mark as a coach.

His Eagles have responded to that effort so far, and showed it Wednesday night in an 82-61 victory against Ellsworth CC. Petersen has led Kirkwood to a No. 9 ranking in NJCAA Division II while feeling out to what he thinks his team will respond best.

'I feel more comfortable, but at the same time I feel like I still make a lot of mistakes,' Petersen said. 'My big thing I'm trying to get better at is my in-game, with these guys — what they need on a given night. Do they need a jerk coach, do they need a nice guy? There's still a lot for me to get better at.

'I was fortunate that I took over when I was young. You kind of learn on the job a little bit. I get to work with great kids every day at a great school. Just have to keep challenging myself every day.'

Petersen's in-game was on its game against Ellsworth, as Kirkwood notched its third straight win and moved to 18-3 overall and 4-1 in ICCAC play.

His growth as a coach comes from lessons drawn from coaches he played for and worked under. As an Iowa State player and then first-year grad assistant, Greg McDermott had a huge influence. Then along came Fred Hoiberg, who kept Petersen on for two more seasons. Then it was an assistant coaching job at Kirkwood under Doug Wagemester (now the Kirkwood athletic director) that led to the head coaching job he has now.

Each of those three — as well as a host of former assistants he played for and worked under — have helped shape the coach Petersen has become. They're all still shaping him, in fact.

'I would say everybody — assistant coaches, too. But obviously the head coaches I played and worked for — Mac, Fred, Coach Wagemester — all three; hopefully it's a little blend, because all three are fantastic coaches,' Petersen said. 'My boss is right down the hall, but both Fred and Mac, I stay in contact with both those guys, and the assistants I played for, I'm pretty close with a lot of those guys. I'm just trying to learn.'

His team got a big win Wednesday thanks to 19 points off the bench from Cristen Wilson and 16 points from Hunter Rhodes. The third straight win also makes it six wins in the last seven games, all while trying to discover the team's strong points.

Petersen has also tried to keep an eye on his alma mater, but admits it's very difficult given his current gig. He did, though, get to see Iowa State beat Kansas in person on Monday — a rare treat, given he's usually working when they're playing.

What he does get to see, he obviously loves. His two schools doing as well as they are at the same time doesn't hurt his mood, either.

'I try to keep up, but this is always No. 1 and it's hard to keep up with them,' Petersen said. 'But it's great. Obviously we've got to be doing well here, but it's awesome to see them doing well at the same time. And we have a former player out there in Jordan Ashton, so it's really cool to see them doing well on a national scene.'

KIRKWOOD WOMEN GET DOMINATING WIN

The Kirkwood women's team got a win of its own Wednesday night, in dominating fashion against Ellsworth, 61-34.

The Eagles (19-4, 6-0 ICCAC) held the Panthers to just eight points in the first half, and forced 30 total turnovers — 20 of which came in the opening half. Kirkwood was led by Cedar Falls grad Madison Wood, who had 16 points and eight rebounds. Caitlin Suddath added 15 on 5 of 8 shooting.

Up next for the Kirkwood women is a trip to NIACC in Mason City on Saturday at 1 p.m.

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