After helping the UMD men's basketball program to an NCAA Regional semifinal run in 2023-24 as a second assistant, Tyler Peterson has been elevated to first assistant coach for the Bulldogs in 2024-25.
The Minneapolis, Minn. native was on the bench for the Bulldogs over the past season, helping guide UMD to a 26-7 record, including 18-4 in Northern Sun Intercollegiate play. Peterson came to the Bulldogs previously from the NAIA's University of Jamestown (N.D.) where he spent six seasons. Peterson's time with the Jimmies started as a graduate assistant during the 2017-18 season. The next season, Peterson helped the team in its jump to the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC). The Jimmies finished 29-6 in 2018-19, winning the GPAC Tournament Championship and qualifying for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Tournament for the first time in six years. Jamestown would end up making it all the way to the Sweet Sixteen. Four Jimmies earned All-GPAC honors and two were named All-Americans in a year where the squad finished 10th in the national rankings.
Peterson became the team's lead assistant prior to the 2019-20 season and before Jamestown's 2021-22 campaign, he became the team's associate head coach. The Jimmies punched a ticket to the NAIA Tournament four times during Peterson's tenure with the program, and each time, they made it to at least the Sweet Sixteen. Peterson helped coach three-time GPAC Player of the Year, three-time All-American and NAIA Player of the Year Mason Walters.
Prior to heading over to Jamestown, Peterson played Division III's Northland College, participating in all 101 games in his career. He was a starter in 64 of those contests. During Peterson's time at NC, the Lumberjacks made their first postseason appearance in 12 seasons.
Peterson earned his bachelor's degree in business management from Northland in 2017 and his master's degree in Arts of Leadership from Jamestown in 2019.
