Bismarck (CSi) Two long-time WDA coaches in Bismarck have announced their resignations.
Steve Miller, head boys basketball coach at Bismarck High School for the past 25 years, has announced his resignation from that position. Coach Miller just finished his 25th season as head coach and six seasons as an assistant coach. Under Miller’s direction, the 1994, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2008, and 2010 teams were crowned North Dakota State Class A basketball champions. The Demons also finished as state runners-up in 1991, 1995, 20004, 2007, 2011, and 2013.
Through the 2014-15 season the Demons had been to the state tournament 23 of 25 years. Bismarck High finished 3rd at state in 1992 and 1997, 4th place in 1998, 1999, and 2000, 5th place in 2012, and 6th place in 1996, 2002, and 2014. The Demons have won the West Region tournament championship 12 times since 1991.
Steve was named the North Dakota Class A Basketball Coach of the Year in 1991, 2000 and 2004. In 2000 Steve was selected NDAPSSA Male Coach of the Year.
Prior to becoming head coach, Steve was an assistant at Bismarck High School for 6 years. He also served as head coach at Napoleon for two years, head coach at Richardton for three years, and was a graduate assistant at University of North Dakota for one year.
Miller’s overall coaching record was 539 wins – 256 losses.
Steve currently teaches physical education at Bismarck High School.
Scott Knowlen has resigned as the head wrestling coach at Bismarck High School. He has been the head coach at Bismarck for the past 26 years and was co-head coach with Jeff Schumacher for the past 18 years.
Scott was hired as a teacher and head coach in 1989. Before coming to Bismarck, he was a teacher and assistant wrestling coach in Mandan for five years. Scott is originally from Bismarck and graduated from Bismarck High School as a two-time state wrestling champion. He then attended Bismarck State College, earning All-American status in wrestling and winning a gold medal at the Jr. Pan American games in Cali, Columbia. Scott received his BS Ed degree from UND where he was a two-time All-American in wrestling and an Academic All-American.
Knowlen’s overall dual meet record at Bismarck High was 368-16-2, which included 15 undefeated seasons and a 145 consecutive dual meet win streak from 2001-2010. During his time as head coach, Knowlen’s 26 state tournament appearances have yielded 15 State Individual Championships, 7 State Runner-Up and 4 Third Place finishes. In addition, his teams have qualified in all 16 Dual Meet Championships where Knowlen helped guide BHS to 12 State Dual Meet Championships and 4 State Dual Meet Runner-Up finishes. This past season the Demons were State Champions in both the State Individual Tournament and the State Dual Tournament. Scott and Co-Head Coach, Jeff Schumacher, were also selected State Coach of the Year. Scott has coached 79 state champions, 7 North Dakota Senior Athletes of the Year, and 24 High School All-American wrestlers.
