CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston athletic department has announced Bryant Friskop as head golf coach. Friskop will take over leadership of both the men's and women's golf programs and will continue his duties as assistant women's basketball coach, a position he has held for the past two seasons.
 
"We are very excited to name Bryant Friskop as head men's and women's golf coach at Minnesota Crookston," said Director of Athletics Stephanie Helgeson. "We are very appreciative of the work that Jason Tangquist and Bryan Beamish did for both programs, but due to recent NCAA legislation changes we had to make shifts in our department. I have been very impressed with the work Bryant has done for our women's basketball program and know that we will see the same work ethic and leadership put toward our golf programs."
 
Friskop started his role as assistant coach for the U of M Crookston women's basketball team prior to the 2015-16 season. In his two seasons, Friskop has helped the Golden Eagles to a pair of NSIC/Sanford Health Quarterfinal appearances. During the 2015-16 season, Minnesota Crookston reached a school-record 18 wins, which included a school-record 14 conference wins. In his time with U of M Crookston, the Golden Eagles have had three players earn All-NSIC honors, including All-NSIC First Team selections Alexa Thielman and Katrina Nordick.
 
"I would like to thank Stephanie Helgeson, Mike Roysland, and the search committee for giving me this opportunity to be the head men's and women's golf coach as well as remain a part of the women's basketball staff," Friskop said. "I've had an incredible two years at U of M Crookston and I'm more than excited to have the opportunity to continue to work with the wonderful student-athletes that we have at our university."
 
Friskop came to U of M Crookston from down the road at University of North Dakota, where he served in various capacities with the women's basketball program over four years. Friskop worked as a student manager during the 2014-15 season, where he was responsible for taking bench statistics and also helped with game film and exchange for the team where he filmed all home games for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons. He also assisted in daily practices, took part in staff meetings, set up the equipment for the team, helped with the practice squad, and opponent scouting.

Prior to serving as manager, Friskop was a member of the practice squad for the UND women's basketball team, playing against UND's squad in practice, getting them ready for upcoming games. During his time at North Dakota, he worked under legendary UND coach Gene Roebuck, who led North Dakota to three National Championships and over 600 wins. He also worked under Travis Brewster, who led the team to a 2014 Big Sky Championship and an NCAA First Round appearance in 2014. 

Prior to transferring to UND, Friskop played college basketball for one year at Concordia College Moorhead.

The Wahpeton, N.D. native earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from UND in 2014 with a minor in athletic coaching. He earned his Master of Science degree in Kinesiology from North Dakota in 2017. He currently resides in Grand Forks, N.D. 
 
Tangquist will continue his role as associate athletic director/compliance coordinator. Tangquist's move from men's golf after 18 seasons comes due to NCAA legislation that passed in 2015 requiring schools to have a full-time compliance administrator without coaching duties. The legislation has an effective date of fall 2018. Tangquist's time as head men's golf coach was highlighted by an NSIC Championship in 2002 and two NCAA Division II Super Regional appearances as a team in 2003 and 2006. In addition, Tangquist helped Branden Schwartz to an individual NSIC title in 2002 and to a seventh-place finish at the 2005 NCAA Super Regional. 
 
Bryan Beamish will continue in his role as assistant men's basketball coach. In addition, Beamish will assist Friskop with the golf programs.