Head Coach
Kevin Williamson
Coach data is provided for recruiting research and should be confirmed with the official athletics website before contact.
Basketball Staff Contacts
Verified 2026-08-16 from this program's own staff page. Staff change during the recruiting cycle, so confirm before sending outreach.
| Name | Role | |
|---|---|---|
| Kevin Williamson | Head Men's Basketball Coach | kevin.williamson@dsu.edu |
| Matthew Vargas | Assistant Men's Basketball Coach | matthew.vargas@dsu.edu |
About Dakota State University Basketball
Dakota State basketball operates in the Frontier Conference, a competitive NAIA landscape where depth and defensive discipline separate winners from the rest. Head coach Gary Garner builds rosters around ball movement and perimeter shooting, favoring guards who can handle pace and forwards willing to defend multiple positions. The program values players who arrive understanding spacing and commitment to team concepts, this isn't a place for isolation scorers. The typical Dakota State contributor possesses high basketball IQ and positional versatility. Garner's system rewards guards with range and decision-making ability, and he needs wings capable of defending in transition. Big men here do more than occupy space; they must move their feet and protect the rim. Playing time flows to players who embrace their role immediately and execute without freelancing. Madison, South Dakota offers a focused environment where distractions are minimal and gym access is constant. The program expects players to be invested in their development long before games begin. Roster construction leans toward recruiting players who've already developed fundamental skills and competitive habits. If you're a guard with size and shooting ability, a wing defending three positions, or a big who moves laterally, Dakota State's system could showcase your strengths. Garner identifies players ready to compete on day one and builds around their reliability. Coaches at programs like this recruit players who come in ready to contribute. Florida Coastal Prep, a prep academy in Fort Walton Beach, FL, develops athletes specifically for opportunities like this one. Learn how at floridacoastalprep.com or apply at /apply/.
Net price
$20,554/yr
Grad rate
49%
Enrollment
2,071
Full cost & outcomes
College Cost & Enrollment
Federal College Scorecard snapshot (retrieved 2026-11-04). Not a tuition quote.
Average net price: $20,554 / year (in-state)
Net price by family income
- $0–$30,000
- $16,949 / year
- $30,001–$48,000
- $14,960 / year
- $48,001–$75,000
- $17,580 / year
- $75,001–$110,000
- $21,322 / year
- $110,001+
- $22,989 / year
More enrollment & tuition figures
- Undergraduate enrollment
- 2,071
- Average net price
- $20,554 / year (in-state)
- Published tuition (in-state)
- $9,938 / year
- Published tuition (out-of-state)
- $13,130 / year
- Graduation rate
- 49%
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Frontier Conference Teams
| School | Location | Enrollment | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|
Bellevue University
View program →
|
Location Bellevue, NE | Enrollment 10,220 | Avg. net price $11,743 |
Bismarck State College
View program →
|
Location Bismarck, ND | Enrollment 2,839 | Avg. net price $9,531 |
Carroll College
View program →
|
Location Helena, MT | Enrollment 1,092 | Avg. net price $26,295 |
Dakota State University
View program →
|
Location Madison, SD | Enrollment 2,071 | Avg. net price $20,554 |
Dickinson State University
View program →
|
Location Dickinson, ND | Enrollment 1,090 | Avg. net price $14,076 |
Mayville State University
View program →
|
Location Mayville, ND | Enrollment 733 | Avg. net price $13,637 |
Montana State University-Northern
View program →
|
Location Havre, MT | Enrollment 761 | Avg. net price $14,686 |
| Montana Technological University View program → | Location Butte, MT | Enrollment 1,480 | Avg. net price $17,205 |
Rocky Mountain College
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|
Location Billings, MT | Enrollment 840 | Avg. net price $21,679 |
University of Montana Western
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|
Location Dillon, MT | Enrollment 1,198 | Avg. net price $19,481 |
| University of Providence View program → | Location Great Falls, MT | Enrollment 528 | Avg. net price $21,492 |
Valley City State University
View program →
|
Location Valley City, ND | Enrollment 958 | Avg. net price $13,748 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dakota State University NAIA?
Yes, Dakota State University is an NAIA program in the Frontier Conference. This page lists division, conference, coach contacts, and recruiting context for Dakota State University men's basketball.
What conference is Dakota State University in?
Dakota State University competes in the Frontier Conference for NAIA men's basketball.
What is the average net price at Dakota State University?
Federal College Scorecard data lists an average net price of $20,554 per year for in-state students who received federal aid, after grants and scholarships. This is not a tuition quote.
What is undergraduate enrollment at Dakota State University?
College Scorecard reports approximately 2,071 undergraduate students. Confirm current enrollment on the school's official website.
How do I get recruited to Dakota State University?
Build updated game film, complete NCAA or NAIA eligibility requirements for NAIA, and contact the coaching staff using verified emails on this page or the official athletics staff directory. FCP helps players prepare film and recruiting profiles for NAIA programs. See floridacoastalprep.com/apply/ and the how-to-get-recruited guide on this site.
Your Eligibility for Dakota State University Starts Today
Eligibility problems discovered late cost players their best opportunities. FCP's academic support team works proactively to ensure every player is cleared before NAIA coaches ask the question, so when Dakota State University's staff is interested, the answer is ready.
Coaching contacts compiled by the FCP recruiting staff. Cost and graduation figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved 2026-11-04.