STERLING, Kan.-Sterling College Athletics, and Vice President for Athletics, Scott Downing, announced today that Randy Stange will be Sterling College's next head men's basketball coach.
"I would like to thank the President, Dr. Scott Rich, VP for Athletics, Scott Downing, and Athletic Director, Justin Morris, for this opportunity to come home and work in the community I called home for so many years. I am looking forward to getting back to my passion of coaching men's basketball and training up young men both on and off the court," said Stange. "I have long admired the program and legacy that longtime Coach Lonnie Kruse put together and look forward to working with Coach Bassett as she continues to grow her program on the women's side. The community of Sterling is so important to the success of the programs at Sterling College and I am excited to build relationships between the men's basketball program and the community."
According to Downing, Sterling College has much to look forward to by the hiring of Stange as well. "Randy Stange is an excellent fit for Sterling College and our community. His experience on and off the court is outstanding and will help take our basketball program in a new direction. Coach Stange's emphasis on relationships and spiritual growth aligns with our mission and makes us stronger."
Director of Athletics, Justin Morris, added, "We are very excited to welcome Randy and his wife Suzanne to the Warrior family. Randy's coaching experience and strong desire to minister to our men's basketball team is very exciting."
Stange comes to Sterling from Johnson County Community College where he served as Athletic Director since July 2017.
After a stellar high school career at Nickerson High School, Stange became a Hutchinson Community College Blue Dragon under head coach Gary Bargen. While an HCC player, the Blue Dragons were 46-15, including an incredible 30-3 record at the Sports Arena. Stange scored 560 points in his career. In his sophomore season, Stange averaged 11.8 points and 3.6 assists per game. He also played tennis for the Blue Dragons.
After graduating from Hutchinson Community College, Stange went on to have a stellar career a Missouri State University. He was the first player recruited by Charlie Spoonhour and was a key member of the Bear's backcourt. Stange set the season mark for free throw accuracy his junior year with a .909 figure and averaged 10.4 points a game. That earned him a spot on the Mid-Continent Conference all-newcomer team for the 18-10 Bears.
During his senior year, Stange was on the all-conference second-team and shared Missouri State's Player of the Year honors with backcourt running mate Brian Smith. He finished his career with 706 points and shooting percentages of .564 from the field and .855 at the line. He set the record for career free-throw accuracy, now ranking second, and ranks sixth in field goal accuracy. He was inducted into the Missouri State Hall of Fame in February of 2001.
Once his playing days were complete, Stange jumped into the coaching profession, which eventually brought him back to Hutchinson. Hired shortly before the 1994-95 season, Stange spent three seasons on the Blue Dragons bench. He posted an 85-20 record, tied for a Jayhawk West title in 1995and his 1997 team won Region VI and qualified for the NJCAA Tournament.
Under his watch, Stange coached Nate Erdman a 1997 2nd round NBA Draft pick by the Utah Jazz, and Demetrius Alexander, who was an honorable mention NJCAA All-American. Stange also had several Blue Dragons earn All-Jayhawk Conference honors.
Before returning to Hutchinson, Stange served as an assistant coach at Kansas State University under Lon Kruger for the 1985-86 season. He then joined the staff at Missouri State and St. Louis University under his old college coach, Charlie Spoonhour, before the 1986-87 season. During his five seasons on the Bears staff, Missouri State won Mid-Continent titles in 1988, 1989, and 1990 with three straight trips to the NCAA Tournament. In 1990 the Bears joined the Missouri Valley Conference and made an NIT appearance in 1991 and won the MVC tournament to return to the NCAA Tournament field in 1992.
When Spoonhour went to St. Louis University before the 1992-93 season, Stange followed and spent two seasons at SLU before returning to Hutchinson. The 1993-94 St. Louis University basketball team that Stange was part of went into the Billiken Hall of Fame in 2005.
After coaching, Stange spent several years as Athletic Director at Hutchinson Community College where he served until 2015. During his 18-year tenure at Hutchinson, Blue Dragon athletics won 33 Jayhawk Conference championships, 28 Region VI championships in all sports, and 128 teams earned NJCAA Championship berths, with 10 finishing in the top five nationally. Additionally, the football team appeared in nine bowl games, winning eight times, and 15 players over that span went on to play in the NFL. He also played a major role in the Gowan's Stadium renovation project.
Stange served eight years as the Region VI men's director, was the chair of the Division I men's basketball tournament, and served on the track and field and golf committees. He was also a member of the NJCAA Executive Committee.
Stange looks forward to this opportunity that has been laid out before him to return to where he grew up. "The Lord has made it clear to my wife, Suzanne, and I that this is where we are to be for the next stage in our lives. We look forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for us as we come back to Sterling."
There will be a meet and greet with several of Sterling's new coaches, including coach Stange, at Studio 96 in Sterling on Friday, April 8, at 10 am.
Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #SwordsUp. Watch all of the Warriors' live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.