Tim Bergstraser’s Belief in DU Basketball: “What We Have Here Is Enough”

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After more than a century of mediocrity and only three winning seasons in the past twelve years, the University of Denver men’s basketball program has rarely been a contender in the Summit League. In contrast to the university’s national success in hockey, lacrosse, gymnastics, and soccer, men’s basketball has remained an afterthought. But newly hired head coach Tim Bergstraser intends to change that narrative—starting with belief. Introduced at Hamilton Gymnasium, the home of DU basketball, Bergstraser wasted no time addressing the program’s current reputation. “What we have here is enough,” he proclaimed. In a facility that resembles a high school gym more than a Division I arena, his message was clear: winning begins with mindset, not resources. “People need to respect the DU logo,” he added. “We’re going to make sure that narrative is flipped.” Bergstraser arrives in Denver after three seasons as head coach at Division II Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM), where he compiled an impressive 75-22 record. His tenure included back-to-back NSIC tournament titles and a 2025 Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Division II tournament. Athletic Director Josh Berlo called him “a proven winner” and emphasized that Bergstraser knows the Summit League landscape, having recruited and competed in the region for years.

To jumpstart his rebuild at DU, Bergstraser brings with him a familiar core. Five key players from his MSUM team have transferred to Denver: guards JaMir Price, Carson Johnson, and Cody Dandridge, as well as forwards Logan Kinsey and Shaun Wysocki. The returning DU roster features only four players: guards Devin Carney, Keean Lloyd, Josh Lee, and forward Loch Cunningham. With so much roster turnover, the program is effectively starting fresh.

Despite limited resources and the shadow of more successful DU sports programs, Bergstraser is embracing the challenge. “Some people might say facility-wise, maybe this gym isn’t as good as it should be compared to the rest of the league, and that’s just fine,” he said. “I don’t need all the bells and whistles, and we’re going to find players who don’t care about that stuff either.” Bergstraser’s coaching career began unexpectedly. A former center at St. Cloud State, his playing career was cut short by three ACL injuries. Forced to retire, he transitioned to coaching as a student assistant—an experience he now calls a “blessing in disguise.” His coaching path has included assistant roles at Wisconsin-River Falls, Quincy (Illinois), and MSUM, before he took over the Dragons in 2022. DU basketball has not posted a winning record since the 2016–17 season and went 11-21 in 2024–25. The team’s last serious flirtation with March Madness came in 2024, when it fell one game short of an NCAA Tournament berth. Still, Bergstraser believes the foundation for long-term success is already in place.

“I’m going to have a lot of pride in this job,” he said. “We’re going to put in the work. We’re going to build something people can be proud of.” In a program long overlooked, Bergstraser’s confidence offers a refreshing shift in tone. With a new roster, a new voice, and a new culture, Denver’s basketball team may finally be on the path to relevance. And in Bergstraser’s words, they already have all they need to get there.