Coaching Staff
Mark Franzen
Head Men's Basketball Coach
franma03@luther.edu
Learn more about Coach Franzen
- Office: Regents Center 216
- Phone: (563) 387-1588
- 1994 graduate of Wartburg College
- Master's degree from University of Northern Iowa in 1998
- Seventh season as head coach
- Led Norse to an Iowa Conference Championship, Iowa Conference Tournament title and a trip to the NCAA III National Tournament for the first time since 1984 during the 2010-11 campaign
- Spent two years as head coach at Nebraska Wesleyan University prior to taking over the Norse program
- Formerly an assistant coach at Wartburg College from 1998-2004 and Coe College from 1996-98
- While at Wartburg, the Knights posted four 20-win seasons, captured the 2001 Iowa Conference regular season championship and tournament title, advancing to the NCAA III National Tournament
- A native of Denver, Iowa and a 1994 graduate of Wartburg College, he was a member of the Knights 1992-93 Iowa Conference championship team that qualified for the NCAA III National Tournament
Tim Schuring
Assistant Coach
schuti02@luther.edu
- Office: Regents Center 217F
- Phone: (563) 387-2128
- 1988 graduate of Wartburg College
- Master's degree from United States Sports Academy in 1999
- Seventh season with the Norse program
- Also serves as Wellness Educator
- Joined Norse program and returned to collegiate coaching after spending one year as Associate Principal/Activities Director at Oelwein High School (2005-06)
- Four years as Head Men's Basketball Coach/ Instructor of Physical Education and Exercise Science at Dakota State University (2001-05)
- Three years as Head Coach/ Sports Management Instructor at The University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, Kansas (1998-2001)
- Two years as Assistant Coach/Instructor of Physical Education at Iowa Wesleyan College (1996-98)
- Seven years as head high school and secondary Social Studies Teacher in the states of Iowa and Illinois (1989-96)
- 1988-89 Graduate Assistant at Central College, and 1986-1988 student assistant at Wartburg (under coach Buzz Levick)
Eric Karius
Assistant Coach
karier01@luther.edu
- Cell Phone: (563) 387-7810
- Seventh season with the Norse program
- Joined Norse after spending five years as the assistant boys basketball coach at Slinger High School, Slinger Wis.
- During this five-year stretch, Slinger won one Parkland Conference championship and compiled an overall record of 74-37
- Also serves as women's golf coach
Wade Kooiman
Assistant Coach
- Cell Phone: (605) 270-0462
- Fourth Season with the Norse Program
- 2001 Graduate of the University of Mary, N.D.
- Master's degree from the University of Mary in 2004
- Was an assistant coach and head coach at Dakota State University from 2005-09. He was also an Instructor of Physical Education and Exercise Science
- While earning his Master's degree, he was a graduate assistant coach at University of Mary where he played four years, finishing his career ranked sixth all-time for assists
Paxton Molinari
Student Assistant Coach
- Third season as a student-assistant
- USA Basketball Support Staff for U16, U17 and U18 Junior National Teams
- Snow Valley Basketball School Camp Coach, 2010-present
Tim Merritt
Assistant Coach
- First season on coaching staff
- Four-year letter winner for the Norse (2008-12)
- Starter on teams that posted 36 wins from 2010-12

Mark
Tim
Eric
Wade Kooiman
Paxton Molinari
Tim Merritt