Dave Thorson is leaving his position as DeLaSalle boys' basketball head coach to become an assistant coach at Drake, a person with knowledge of the situation told the Star Tribune.
Thorson, who has won six consecutive Class 3A state titles with the Islanders, is expected to join the staff of Drake head coach Niko Medved, media outlets reported. Medved, a Minnesota native who played high school basketball at Roseville, was named the Bulldogs' coach on March 26 after four years at Furman.
Efforts to reach Thorson for comment Tuesday were not successful.
Medved previously served as a student manager and assistant coach for the Gophers. Thorson was also an assistant coach with the Gophers for four years before taking the Islanders post.
In 23 years at DeLaSalle, Thorson compiled a record of 527-136. His teams appeared in 15 state tournaments, winning nine titles (the others were in 1998, 1999 and 2006). He has won more state championships than any boys' or girls' coach in state history.
"In my opinion, Dave is hands down the best coach out there," said Orono coach Barry Wohler, who coached against Thorson in state and section tournaments. "Nobody outworks him."
![DeLaSalle's Jarvis Johnson rested briefly on the bench in the first half near head coach Dave Thorson while his mother, Tanisha, gestured behind him the stands. ] JEFF WHEELER ï jeff.wheeler@startribune.com DeLaSalle High School trounced Fridley 69-31 in a boy's basketball game Thursday night, February 12, 2015 at DeLaSalle. The Islanders' Jarvis Johnson is the top preps hoops player in the state and the Gophers' No. 1 recruit for 2015.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/PWNRX53BIY673QSDOLFGNGABAA.jpg?&w=1080)
