DELL RAPIDS — For Ty Hoglund and the Dell Rapids Quarriers, there’s a familiar face back on the bench this season. 

Hoglund’s father, Mick, is assistant coach for the Dell Rapids High School boys basketball team this season. A Dell Rapids grad, Ty took over as the Quarrier coach last season. 

An opening arose on this season’s coaching staff and Mick, who has been instrumental in Ty’s basketball path, was an easy choice.

“A lot of the things that went on in my basketball career are due in part to him,” Ty said. “I was listening to him all the time and he was always a really positive voice in my life and athletics. I am most excited for our kids to get to listen to him speak about sports and speak about life. Because it’s a pretty good voice to follow and I am just happy to have that as a part of our program.”

For Mick, it’s his first season coaching high school basketball since 2016. He was an assistant for Dell Rapids when Ty was earning all-state and Mr. Basketball honors. He stepped away when Ty starred at Dakota Wesleyan University, where he garnered All-American honors and finished fifth on South Dakota’s all-time men’s basketball scoring list. 

This season, Mick is riding shotgun on Ty’s next basketball step as a coach. 

“It’s just a good feeling knowing how much he loves basketball and just to be a part of that,” Mick said. “He really cares about the guys that he is coaching and that’s really fun to be a part of. He is real in his love for competition and helping these kids out to become good players and good people.”

Dell Rapids coach Ty Hoglund, right, and his father Mick, left, watch the action against West Central on Dec. 8 in Hartford. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)

The father and son are also aligned in their basketball philosophies. They regularly broke down contests when Ty played and last year when he took over the Dell Rapids program. 

This season, it will transition to practices, game planning and X’s and O’s. 

“We’ve just been involved in so many ball games, whether it’s basketball or baseball or golf,” Mick said. “We just kind of know what the other guy is going through. To be on the other side of it is really kind of enjoyable. I just like watching him and being a Dell Rapids Quarrier again.” 

Mick also brings a wealth of basketball knowledge to the table. Mick starred at Hamlin High School and Sioux Falls College, where he earned all-South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference honors. He coached at Miller in the late 1980s before joining Dell Rapids in 1991. 

A basketball lifer, Mick is also in the South Dakota Amateur Basketball of Fame. 

“He’s been a dude that’s been around the game for 60 years,” Ty said. “He’s loved it. He’s played college ball. He’s played numerous amateur games and he’s just a guy that’s breathed hoops and athletics his entire life. So just having that veteran voice on our team, it’s pretty good for all aspects of it.” 

Mick, who serves as the freshman coach, didn’t know what he would miss about being away from the game. But once he got back on the bench, the competitive juices started flowing again. 

“The actual game we played the other night, I found myself actually loving the situations and trying to find a way for our teams to win,” Mick said. “It's just fun to be out there, and I don’t think I am a real significant cog in this machine. But I am there just to help out when I can.”

Mick also gets a front row seat to Ty’s fiery coaching style, which is similar to when he played for the Quarriers and Tigers. 

“He is always going to be a calming, kind of soothing voice in my life,” Ty said. “Because there’s not many things that are calm about me on the basketball court when I was playing or coaching. I am just lucky to be beside him and have him around me and our team and it’s going to be a pretty fun year.”

Dell Rapids coach Ty Hoglund shouts instructions against West Central on Dec. 8 in Hartford. (Ryan Deal / 605 Sports)