Eric Peterson
Eric Peterson
Head Men’s Basketball Coach
University of South Dakota
Experience
2022 – Present: Head Coach, University of South Dakota
2021 – 2022: Assistant Coach, University of Utah
2018 – 2021: Assistant Coach, Utah State University
2014 – 2018: Assistant Coach, University of South Dakota
2012 – 2014: Head Coach & Director of Athletics, Williston State College
2011 – 2012: Assistant Coach & Assistant Director of Athletics, Williston State College
2009 – 2011: Assistant Coach, Minnesota State University-Moorhead
2005 – 2009: Assistant Coach, Williston State College
2003 – 2005: Assistant Coach, La Crescent High School (MN)
Education
2016: University of South Dakota, Masters, Interdisciplinary Studies
2006: University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Bachelors, Physical Education
Personal
Hometown: West Salem, WI
Family: Lindsey (Wife) & Bowen, Briggs, Flynn, Isaiah (Children)
Career Highlights
Career Record as a Head Coach
76-54 (.585)
25+ Win Seasons (2)
2013-14, 2012-13
Conference Coach of the Year (2)
2013-14 Mon-Dak & 2012-13 Region XIII
Conference Regular Season Championships (1)
2013-14 Mon-Dak
Has led South Dakota to 24 wins
As South Dakota’s Head Coach, has recruited and coached six Summit League All-Conference Team selections
Selected to participate in the 2019 TopConnect program
From 2018 to 2021, helped lead Utah State to three 20+ win seasons, one MWC Regular Season Championship, two MWC Tournament Championships, and three NCAA Tournament berths
From 2014 to 2018, helped lead South Dakota to three winning seasons, two 22+ win seasons, one Summit League Regular Season Championship (first in program history), and two post-season berths – helped rebuild a program that had not had a winning season during the three seasons prior to arrival (32-56 (.364) overall and 16-32 (.333) Summit League record during span)
Assisted South Dakota to both the most single-season (26) and Summit League (12) wins in the program’s Division I history
2013-14 Montana-North Dakota Conference Coach of the Year and 2012-13 NJCAA Region XIII Coach of the Year
From 2012 to 2014, led Williston State to a 52-15 (.776) overall and 17-3 (.850) Mon-Dak record, as well as one Mon-Dak Regular Season Championship and one NJCAA Region XIII Tournament Championship
As Williston State’s Head Coach, recruited and coached five Mon-Dak All-Conference Team selections, as well as one Player of the Year
News & Media
3/16/22 – Eric Peterson’s University of South Dakota Press Conference
3/15/22 – Peterson To Be Named Men’s Basketball Coach Wednesday at 11 a.m. Press Conference
4/26/21 – Eric Peterson Has Worked College Hoops Magic With Craig Smith Everywhere They’ve Been. Utah Is Their Latest Project (The Salt Lake Tribune)
Head Coach Record
| Season | School | Overall | Conference | Championships | Post-Season |
| 2012-13 | Williston State (NJCAA) | 25-9 | 8-2 | Region XIII T | NJCAA D (3rd Round) |
| 2013-14 | Williston State (NJCAA) | 27-6 | 9-1 | Mon-Dak RS | NJCAA R (2nd Round) |
| 2022-23 | South Dakota | 12-19 | 7-11 | ||
| 2023-24 | South Dakota | 12-20 | 5-11 | ||
| Career | 76-54 (.585) | 29-25 (.537) |