Ryan Kirsch has been named the new head men’s basketball coach at Iowa Central.

Kirsch replaces Chad Helle, who was relieved of his duties following the 2023-24 season.

Kirsch most recently served as an assistant at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and is also a former assistant at ICCAC rival school Kirkwood.

“I am honored to be chosen as the next head men’s basketball coach at Iowa Central Community College,” Kirsch said. “My family and I are eager to get to Fort Dodge, engage in the community and get to work.”

An Iowa native, Kirsch earned his Bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University and his Master’s from Augustana University.

This past season, Minnesota-Duluth went 25-6 overall and qualified for the NCAA Div. II Tournament. They won 26 games in 2022-23 and reached the Elite Eight that season.

“During the process, something that resonated with us was just how successful of an athletic department Iowa Central has,” Kirsch said. “We are confident we can bring that same type of success to men’s basketball.

“I believe in the administration’s vision for the future of the program, and I am truly humbled to be in this position.”

While at Kirkwood, Kirsch was on the bench for 92 Eagle wins, three conference titles and the 2019 NJCAA national championship. He was also a graduate assistant at Augustana and South Dakota State University, and a student assistant at Iowa State under both TJ Otzelberger and Fred Hoiberg.

“We are beyond excited that we were able to secure the services of Ryan Kirsch to lead our men’s basketball program,” ICCC athletic director Kevin Twait said. “Ryan’s track record of successful recruiting and player development will propel our program to greater heights.

“He will build a culture and environment that student-athletes will want to be a part of. We had several tremendous applicants for this position, and Ryan surfaced as the cream of the crop.”

Kirsch and his wife, Branygon, have one daughter.