Schindler resigning as girls basketball coach in NB

All good things must come to an end, but neither Dan Schindler nor North Branch High School thought that would be the case so soon for his basketball coaching career.

Schindler abruptly resigned from his coaching position late last week due to a unique circumstance. The Chatfield, MN, native accepted the Activities Director position at his alma mater, but he will still teach in North Branch over the next two years. “I have two years left until my retirement.

That is why giving up basketball is so hard because I thought until a few days ago I would still be coaching for two more years,” Schindler said. “But if I didn’t take the Chatfield job now, it may not be open in two years.” Schindler said he will make the two hour hike every Friday night and work the weekends in Chatfield and the 26 Monday’s that North Branch doesn’t have school for the next two years. “It will be a crazy two years,” he said.

The 55-year-old has been coaching girls basketball for the past 33 years, including the past 24 as the head coach at North Branch. He was 415-255 with five state tournament appearances under his belt and a second place finish in 2001. He coached in eight section championship games and had seven conference champions. He was the Minnesota state Coach of the Year in 2005 and Section Coach of the Year in 2001, 2002 and 2005. He earned the Conference Coach of the Year six times between 1995 and 2003. Four times, Schindler’s teams were Section Academic champs.

He has also served as an assistant softball and baseball coach at North Branch, as well as a middle school football coach. “I just want to thank all of the people for working with me over the years,” he said. “I really have enjoyed working with you all over the past 28 years at North Branch.