Denis Schaefer has led the Grand View Vikings to success on and off the basketball court during his eleven 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 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."

Last season saw the Vikings finish the year with a record of 13-18, 8-8. While the team was not one of Schaefer's most successful teams in the win loss column, they did prove to be on of the hardest working teams of his tenure. The team showed physical and mental toughness battling through injuries early in the season, and eventually advancing to the Midwest Collegiate Conference semi-finals. Pat Hoberg represented Grand View as an All-American selection, and Midwest Collegiate All-Conference team member. The honors capped a very strong career for Hoberg that saw him drastically improve in his four years and finish with 891 career points. Junior College transfer Rohan Greaves represented the Vikings as well earning the MCC Newcomer of the Year, and All-Conference Honorable Mention, having only played in the final sixteen games of the season. Greaves averaged 13 points a game shooting .533 from three point range.

Schaefer was hired at Grand View College in the fall of 1998. His first season at the helm of the Vikings saw the team advance to the Conference Championship game just missing a berth in the NAIA National Tournament. The team was well represented with post season honors with Peyton Lesley earning All-American Honorable Mention, Midwest Collegiate Conference Player of the Year, and a career point total over 1,000 points. Michael Stephany and Lamar Ingram both earned Honorable Mention All-Conference.

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.

In the 2000-2001 Season Coach Schaefer was voted Midwest Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year. The Vikings also won the Conference regular season, and Conference Tournament Championship, advancing to the NAIA National Tournament for the second straight year coming up short against Evangel College in overtime. Mike Brinker and Ryan Baumgart were All-Conference selections for the Vikings as well.

The 2002-03 season saw the Vikings come up short in the Conference Tournament. Ryan Baumgart was named to the All-Conference team, with Mike Brinker and Brad Bach earning Honorable Mention. The 2003-04 season saw Nate Tigges earn Newcomer of the Year in the Conference. Nate Tigges improved his game the following season earning Conference Player of the Year, and finished his career with over 1,000 career points. In 2005-06 the Vikings lost in the semi-final game of the Conference Tournament. Todd Lorensen was named All-Conference. Todd also earned All-Confence honors the following season and finished his career with over 1,000 career points. He was joined by Marcus Thie on the All-Conference Team. Marcus finished his Grand View career as a 1,000 point scorer as well.

Schaefer came to Grand View from Marycrest College where he served as an assistant coach for one season, before becoming the head coach for two years. He also served as the schools Athletic Director for three years. He joined Marycrest after spending three years at Bethel College in Kansas where he was the head coach for two seasons after spending one as the assistant. Schaefer began his coaching career at Blufton University in Ohio.

Coach Schaefer has a Master's Degree in Sports Management from the University of Akron. He completed his Undergraduate Degree in Physical Education from Loras College in Debuque, Iowa.

Schaefer has been married to his wife Sara for seventeen years. They have two sons, Corey who is a sophomore at Johnston High School and Joe who is in second grade.