Anderson was good hire for Loyola boys basketball

Former Maple River boys basketball coach Tim Anderson became the next boys basketball coach at Mankato Loyola this week, and it seems like a good move for both parties.
Anderson resigned after the 2008 season, posting a 272-93 record in 19 seasons at Maple River. He led his teams to 10 Valley Conference championships and three state-tournament appearances.
But he said after resigning that he would coach again some day, and after a year off to watch his son Seth play at Gustavus Adolphus, he coached the Maple Rivers girls, finishing at 19-5 last season.
He applied at Fairmont and Loyola, accepting the Crusaders' job on Tuesday.
John Landkamer returned to coaching the Loyola baseball team, which created the opening for Anderson.
Anderson is a very good coach, and Loyola has a solid tradition in that sport, winning a state championship in 2003. If anybody can get Loyola back to a state tournament, it will be Anderson. He's passionate and demands discipline, and if the players respond, big things will happen in that program.

Loyola football coach resigns

Mankato Loyola football coach Dan Rotchadl announced his resignation Monday, saying that it was just the right time to make a change. He said that he looks forward to hunting with his sons and traveling with his wife, and he said the fall is the best time to do those things. Rotchadl has been the Crusaders head coach for six seasons, and he said that he was an assistant another eight or nine seasons. Rotchadl took Loyola to the state tournament in 2007. This season, the Crusaders were 5-3 and lost in the first round of the section playoffs.
Athletic director Brad O'Donnell said that he'll be talking with current assistants about the job before opening the position to those outside the program. Fore more on this story, check out Tuesday's print edition.