Dave Bliss Named Dakota Wizards Head Coach
August 26, 2005 - Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1)
Dakota Wizards News Release
Bismarck, ND (Aug. 26, 2005) - The Dakota Wizards of the Continental Basketball Association announce today the hiring of Dave Bliss as its new head coach. Bliss, a 28-year coaching veteran, owns a career record of 526-328 (.616) on the collegiate level, having coached at the University of Oklahoma, Southern Methodist University, the University of New Mexico, and Baylor University. Bliss led his teams to 16 postseason tournament appearances, including 11 trips to the NCAA tournament.
Bliss began his coaching career in 1967 as an assistant at Army. While coaching at West Point, the Black Knights put together a 35-15 record and advanced to the NIT twice. Bliss continued his coaching career as an assistant coach at Cornell University and Indiana University before he made his head-coaching debut at the University of Oklahoma in 1975.
As the Sooners' head coach, Bliss took over a struggling program and laid the foundation for what became one of the top programs in college basketball. Under the coaching of Bliss, Oklahoma won its first conference crown in 30 years and qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 1979.
Bliss revived the basketball program at SMU from 1980-1988. In the eight years as head coach, Bliss led his teams to a 142-101 record and made three trips to the NCAA Tournament and an NIT appearance.
Bliss led his University of New Mexico team to two WAC titles. Bliss' last four years as head coach were the most successful years in Lobo basketball history, with a 102-30 record and at least one NCAA Tournament win each year.
Most recently, Bliss coached at Baylor University compiling a record of 61-57 (.517). He led the Bears to their first postseason appearance in 11 seasons in 2001, compiling a 19-12 record and earning a spot in the NIT.
Bliss has been honored as his conference's coach of the year five times, has coached seven conference championship teams, has put together 20-win-seasons 11 times, has mentored four All-Americans, two Lottery Picks and numerous NBA draft picks, including four first-round selections.
Dakota Wizards General Manager, Jane Link, stated, "We are very happy and fortunate to have such a high caliber coach on our bench. He is sure to continue the Dakota Wizards tradition of putting the best possible team on our Wizards floor."
For more information on the Dakota Wizards, please contact Jane Link, general manager, at (701)400-9596 or wizards@extendwireless.net.
Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from August 26, 2005
- Dave Bliss Named Dakota Wizards Head Coach - Dakota Wizards
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
