Denis Schaefer has led the Grand View Vikings to success on and off the basketball court during his thirteen years as Head Coach. The success his teams have on the court is only the beginning, as his players move on to become successful individuals upon their graduation from Grand View University.

Coach Schaefer has a true passion for coaching the game of basketball to young men. Teaching the game of basketball is when Coach Schaefer is at his best; his ability to coach the finer points of the game to players is what leads to the improvement that is always seen from his team. Good players leave as great players, and average players leave his program as good players. The players Coach Schaefer brings into his program are first and foremost good people. His players must have a passion for the game, be willing to work hard to achieve the highest level of play possible, and be willing to put the team ahead of themselves.

Denis Schaefer coached teams are known for three things; Good defense; his team consistently ranks at the top of the Midwest Collegiate Conference in defense, valuing the ball, and having a "Team Together" mentality.

Former Players have this to say about their experience under Schaefer at Grand View College.

Todd Lorensen: former player and assistant coach under Schaefer:

"I had the rare opportunity to not only play for Coach Schaefer for three years, but also serve as his assistant for one season. Looking back over my time at Grand View College a few things always stick out. Every team I was a part of was playing its best basketball at the end of the season. Further, Coach Schaefer did an excellent job of developing average players into good ones and good players into great players. The family atmosphere around the program makes me proud to be a Grand View Alum."

Ben Meyer: former player.

"Coach Schaefer has a way of inspiring his players to get the most out of their talent. Coach does things the right way; his players really are students first. His players become better people after playing for him."

Ryan Baumgart: former player.

"Coach Schaefer wants to win more than any coach I have been around, yet he makes playing for him a fun experience. I am still in regular contact with him and know he would do anything for me…….The positive changes that have been made to Grand View recently are amazing, it has really changed in the short time since I left Grand View."

Pat Hoberg: former player.

"In my four years I learned so much about the game of basketball and developed my game through Coach Schaefer, but what I will remember most are the life lessons and responsibility he teaches all of his players from the day they walk on campus to the day they leave the program. The relationship that I have with ‘Schaef' will go way beyond the four years I played and will continue into the future." 

In his second season the Vikings won the Midwest Collegiate Conference Tournament and advanced to the NAIA National Tournament where they defeated Berea College and the number one seed Mid America Nazarene before falling to eventual National Champion Embry Riddle to finish in the final eight of the tournament. Derek Bills was named to the NAIA All-American Team, and is the all time leading scorer in Grand View basketball history. Michael Stephany and Curt Albert were All-Conference selections, while Lamar Ingram, Andy McGarry, and Jeremiah Ubben earn Honorable Mention.

Blackbourn joins the Viking coaching staff for his first season with the basketball program.  He will be the head junior varsity basketball coach and an assistant with the varsity program this season.

Prior to being named assistant coach with the Vikings, Blackbourn spent the past season at Clarke University as an assistant coach with the Crusaders.  Before joining the staff at Clarke, he spent three seasons Shullsburg High School (WI) as their junior varsity head coach and assistant varsity coach.  During the 2006-07 season, Blackbourn was a member of the Scales Mound High School varsity coaching staff.

The Shullsburg, WI native graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Plateville with a physical education degree and adapted physical education minor. 
 

Currently, Blackbourn resides in West Des Moines. 

Assistant Sports Information Director Adam Sanchez

Adam Sanchez joined the Viking Athletic staff in July from Drake University where he served as the Director of Basketball Operations.

Sanchez spent three years at Drake University serving as a Graduate Assistant for the men's basketball program. While at Drake University, Sanchez was part of the 2007-08 team that won the Missouri Valley Conference and made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Prior to Drake University, Sanchez spent one year at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa as an assistant basketball coach.

Sanchez earned his B.A. in Elementary Education from Wartburg College and a M.A. in Educational Leadership from Drake University.

Adam and his wife Abby reside in West Des Moines with their daughter Taylor and twins Tyson and Tenley.

Andy Woodley enters his first year as an assistant coach with the Grand View University men's basketball team.

Woodley comes to Grand View after one season at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., as an assistant coach and one season an assistant at Waukee High School. 

As a head coach, Woodley led Iowa City High to the 2008 basketball state title and No. 6 national ranking by Maxpreps.com. He became the youngest coach in Iowa High School history to win the Class 4A state title and compiled a 40-8 record in two years there. The 2007-08 City High team set the school record for most wins in a single season (25) and the most conference wins (15) in a single season. Woodley was named conference and sub-state coach of the year and coached Iowa's Mr. Basketball and Gatorade Player of the Year (Matt Gatens) as well as two all-state selections. He previously coached two years at Sam Rayburn High School (2004-06) in Pasadena, Texas, where he took over a program that posted a record of 59-210 the previous 10 seasons and went 40-25 which is the best winning percentage in school history. 

A three-year starter in the University of Northern Iowa basketball program from 1998-2002, Woodley led the Missouri Valley Conference in steals and assists and ranked sixth nationally in steals per game as a junior. He graduated from UNI in 2002 with a degree in General Studies/Physical Education.

Woodley comes from a family of coaches. His dad is head football coach at Grand View University and former assistant coach at Iowa State University. His brother Matt is a head men's basketball coach at Truman State in Kirksville, Mo. Brother Brian is the head football coach at Johnston High School and youngest brother, Joe, is the defensive coordinator for the Grand View University football team.  Andy's wife Casee is a 2003 graduate of Grand View and played basketball for the National Qualifying women's team.

Andy and his wife, Casee, have a son, Drew (11) and daughters, Alyx (4), Ryah (2) 

Frick is entering his first season with the Grand View Viking men's basketball program. 

Prior to joining the Viking staff, Frick spent the last two seasons with Kirkwood Community College, one of the top junior college basketball programs in the country.  While at Kirkwood, Frick was part of two regional tournament championships teams.  In 2009-10 the Eagles finished third at the national junior college tournament and last season Kirkwood finished fifth at the national tournament in Danville, IL.

While at Kirkwood, Frick was an integral part of the Eagles coaching staff.  Frick was responsible for game day preparation, supervision of equipment, while also serving as the Eagles video coordinator. 

While in high school at Davenport North Frick was an all-conference performer.  He was the equipment manager for the varsity football program for 4 years as well.  Brian's hobbies include spending time with his family and watching the Green Bay Packers.