NEW LONDON, Minnesota — Mike Dreier, head coach of New London-Spicer girls' basketball team, is now the winningest basketball coach in state history.
The Wildcat's victory against Delano on Friday night brought Dreier to 1,013 wins.
Coach Drier takes the winningest coach title from the late Bob McDonald, former Chisholm boys basketball coach, who recorded 1,012 wins.
"It was a tough game back and forth, and thankfully we came out on top," said Dreier.
To be the winningest coach is an incredible honor, a coveted honor.
"It's kind of amazing that it happened," said Dreier. "It's kind of overwhelming, to be honest with you."
But for Coach Dreier, this new title isn't about him.
"The players that I've coached, both present and the past. Parents have played a big role in it, too. Coaches in our program have put a lot of work into it too. A lot of people at the younger levels that don't get credit sometimes," said Dreier.
"Typical Mike. [He] plays it pretty low-key. Humble guy," said Thayne Johnson, New London-Spicer activities director.
That humility is why Dreier is beloved in the community. But it's hard to overlook his 45 seasons of success.
"Mike Dreier is Wildcats girls' basketball," said Johnson. "Over 1,000 wins now. He was the one that got it started and has been a fixture in the New London-Spicer community for all those years."
It's hard to overlook the passion.
"He knows all the girls' names. Outside of basketball, he knows a lot about them and just shows that he cares," said Johnson.
It's hard to overlook Coach Dreier.
"He doesn't like any attention on him at all. But, I'm glad that he's getting some notoriety because he deserves it," said Tonia Finstrom, a former basketball player of Dreier.
New title or no title, Coach Dreier says he couldn't be prouder to call New London-Spicer home.
"When you've got kids that are willing to work hard and set goals and do everything they can to be successful, it's a joy coming to practice, and it's a joy working with them," said Dreier.
The Wildcat's next game is on Tuesday against Minnewaska.
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