Mayville, N.D. - Head women's basketball coach
Dennis Hutter is in his 19th season as the head coach for the Comets. He is the longest women's basketball coach in Mayville State History and is also the winningest.
On Friday night, the Comets hosted Viterbo for their conference opener where Hutter hit another milestone that only few coaches will see in their careers. He won his 300th game at Mayville State. His current record as head coach stands at 301-205.
"Coaching at Mayville State has meant the world to me. Missy [Hutter's wife] and I moved here 19 years ago and have basically raised our entire family within this awesome community. I actually thought I would only stay here for three years and move on. Little did I know, Mayville State would become "home." I am so incredibly proud of the women's basketball program we have developed here at MSU. Many great coaches and players have come through this program and left their mark. Too many to count. I consider myself very blessed to have had Mayville State take a chance on hiring me 19 years ago. We definitely are COMET family." expressed Hutter after his 300th win.
Dennis Hutter Career Highlights:
Conference Tournament Championships (3)
2014, 2020, 2023
Conference Championships (4)
2013, 2014, 2019, 2020
All Americans
Marcisa McMillan – 2013, - Second Team NAIA; 2014 – First Team NAIA
Joelle Ertl – 2019 – Third Team NAIA
Kylee Heurung – 2020 – Second Team NAIA
Jordan Zrust – 2023 – First Team NAIA
Honorable Mention All Americans
Cassie Leraas – 2006, 2007
Laura Big Crow – 2007, 2008
Hailey Longtin – 2014
Liza Hoglo - 2015
Andi Gayner – 2017, 2018
Jordan Zrust – 2021, 2022
Comet Athletics sat down with a few current players on what it has been like to play for Coach Hutter over the years:
"Playing for Coach Hutter will most definitely challenge you as an athlete but more importantly he challenges us everyday as people. He expects our best everyday on and off the court which is why this group and program is successful both on and off the court. This program finds great people and shapes them into even better people and athletes and Coach Hutter plays a large role in that. Personally, he has taught me to be the best version of myself and that's what I am most thankful for over these last 4 years." - CJ Decker, Senior
"Playing for Coach Hutter has been an unforgettable experience. The lessons I have learned and challenges that I've overcome throughout my years playing under him have helped shape the person I am. I am very grateful to play for Coach and be able to have the experience I have had." - Jordan Zrust, Senior
"I've enjoyed playing for Coach Hutter the last 4 years I have been here. He's an understanding coach that does things the right way. He has pushed and challenged me during my time here (even on days where I may not enjoy it) and has not only helped me become a better on the floor, but off the floor as well. I have a deep appreciation for the relationship I have built with Coach and I am grateful to have been a part of this great milestone for him!" - Erin Walcker, Senior
"Playing for Coach Hutter has made me a better player and person! He pushes us everyday to become better versions of ourselves on and off the court. I'm very grateful for the opportunity he has given me this past year and half!" - Jes Mertens, Senior
"Playing for Coach Hutter has been an experience I will remember forever. He has challenged me in many ways throughout our time together here at Mayville State. He believes in every single player on this team and always challenges us with things that we sometimes don't think we are capable of, but he knows we can accomplish anything we set our mind to. Not only has he made me a better player, but he's made me a better person. I think one thing that makes Coach Hutter such a great coach is that he wants us to be the best versions of ourselves and is always striving for us to be better. I am thankful for my time here so far and am excited for the rest of the year with this team!" - Mackenzie Hughes, Junior
"It has been so great to play for Coach Hutter, because he cares for us on and off the floor as players and people. Some of my favorite memories with Coach Hutter have been just talking in his office, not even about basketball, but about everything. From family, school, work, and whatever random tangent we get on that day. Every day he approaches the game with intensity and intent. I am lucky to have played for him my four years at Mayville State, and I am very excited for the rest of the season!" - Taylor Dean, Senior
"I would just say that coach has shown me that I'm capable of more than I ever thought I was. He has taught me many lessons on and off the court that I use now and for the rest of my life." - Sydney Brekken, Senior
Kayla - "I would say that playing for coach has been one of the hardest yet most rewarding journey for me in a sense that I would have never dreamed I could do half of what he tells me I can until I go out and do those said things. He likes to say he knows he can be hard to play for, but I don't think he understands how well he truly prepares us for life and anything we could go through in life and through the game of basketball. He believes in us as athletes but also students and anything else we are/want to be in life. I think playing in this program for coach is such a privilege because of the culture that he has carried throughout his years of coaching generation after generation." - Kayla Rocholl, Senior
