Ryker Kreutzfeldt proves to be steady presence at Mitchell High School searches for next coach

Jun. 18—It is strange not seeing Todd Neuendorf prowl the sidelines, barking at players and needling officials for the next call.

It has been even more strange for players not to hear that familiar yapping from the sideline or to look into his eyes during a huddle, but as summer boys basketball workouts wear on without Neuendorf, his most trusted assistant has been a steady presence.

Ryker Kreutzfeldt spent the last four years studying Neuendorf and building relationships with players, which has allowed the Kernels to continue working as planned following Neuendorf's resignation on June 4.

As Mitchell continues a coaching search activities director Cory Aadland hoped would last two to three weeks, the Kernels competed in the Dakota Wesleyan University, Cornbelt and the University of South Dakota team camps in the week following Neuendorf's departure. They followed it up by participating in the Metro Conference team camp at the Sanford Pentagon Wednesday and Thursday, while beginning the Sanford Pentagon Summer League, which is held each Tuesday.

Although Kreutzfeldt is steering the team in the same direction, he has avoided copying Neuendorf's coaching style and has decided not to stamp his imprint on the program with a coaching search ongoing.

"We're running a lot of the same stuff right now just because it's quick and it's easy," Kreutzfeldt said. "But it's kind of a weird spot, because I want them to get better for whoever the new coach is. So we're working on spacing, running the floor, shooting when you're open and solid defense. I haven't put my twist on things, because it's not my team right now. It's just our team."

Amid the uncertainty, Kreutzfeldt has been stabilizing for Mitchell. The players are comfortable with him doling out instructions in the huddle, as many have played for him at sub-varsity levels previously and he had a heavy hand in creating scouting reports for the varsity during the last two seasons.

Despite possessing a softer demeanor than his predecessor, Kreutzfeldt also creates familiarity because players know his basketball values do not stray far from the culture created by Neuendorf.

"Ryker is a good guy to have because Todd took him under his wing," Mitchell forward Charlie McCardle said. "I feel like Ryker is ready for it. (Ryker) is the same thing as having Todd. Todd has Ryker prepared. They do the same stuff and run the same offense."

Looking for a future coach

Although Mitchell will have a returning Class AA first-team all-state performer in Caden Hinker and an uber-athletic Dylan Soulek coming off a breakout sophomore campaign, it will have to replace three starters.

Prior to resigning, Neuendorf planned to push the Kernels from a half-court team to an up-tempo offense. They showed flashes of the new style in an overtime win over Harrisburg in the Class AA seventh-place game, as Gavyn Degen came off the bench and flourished.

The offense should also suit juniors-to-be Steele Morgan and McCardle, who were looking to jump in the starting lineup or play significant minutes next season. Now some players are trudging through the summer slate wondering how they will fit into the plans of an unknown coach.

"We want to get a coach as soon as possible, so we can know his offense," said Degen, a three-time letterwinner entering his senior season. "It's going to be completely different getting a new coach and a new offense. It's a little weird not knowing who the next coach is going to be."

Although Mitchell's camp schedule slows down for the next month, it continues with a team camp at Augustana on July 23-24, along with another DWU team camp on July 26 and the program hosts an on-going youth summer league. Ideally the Kernels would like to have the next coach prior to those dates to build a report with players during shooting and skills workouts before the summer ends.

After all, Mitchell begins its second consecutive summer without many certainties. Last year's coaching staff was unable to go through with most of their scheduled plans as COVID-19 forced many schools to place limits on contact.

"It definitely would be nice to know sooner rather than later," Hinker said. "If it's a new coach, we can get adjusted or whoever it is. We can know whoever it is and get on with our summer so we're not behind any of these other schools."

Coaches are just as curious to see the outcome of the search as players, but the school does not want to rush. The next hire will be the fourth new coach since Gary Munsen retired a decade ago. Neuendorf appeared to be the long-term solution until family matters pulled him away, so Kreutzfeldt — who is likely among names to be considered — feels it is important to find the right candidate.

"Whoever is going to be the best for the job is the most important thing," Kreutzfeldt said. "A few weeks in the summer isn't as important as the next 20 years the coach is here. The most important thing is getting someone good. The kids are eager, they've been asking questions, but we don't have any answers and we're in no rush."