Todd Ellerbusch - Program Director/Coach
Todd founded the program in 2013 and is also the director and coach. Todd coached the 2018 17U team that finished with a 32-9 record and number 8 ranking in the state by Prep Hoops Minnesota. In 2019 Todd coached the 15U team to a 25-6 record and number 6 ranking.
Todd graduated from Faribault BA High School where he was a standout basketball and baseball player receiving All-Conference honors in both sports. He later graduated from Mankato State University with a Bachelor's degree and St. Catherine's University with a Master's Degree. Todd has coached basketball for 29 years at the youth to Varsity levels where he has coached over 1000 games. He has worked at numerous basketball camps during this time. Todd has also taught Social Studies for 27 years. He currently teaches 7th grade Social Studies at Friedell Middle School in the Rochester Public School District.
Todd founded the program in 2013 and is also the director and coach. Todd coached the 2018 17U team that finished with a 32-9 record and number 8 ranking in the state by Prep Hoops Minnesota. In 2019 Todd coached the 15U team to a 25-6 record and number 6 ranking.
Todd graduated from Faribault BA High School where he was a standout basketball and baseball player receiving All-Conference honors in both sports. He later graduated from Mankato State University with a Bachelor's degree and St. Catherine's University with a Master's Degree. Todd has coached basketball for 29 years at the youth to Varsity levels where he has coached over 1000 games. He has worked at numerous basketball camps during this time. Todd has also taught Social Studies for 27 years. He currently teaches 7th grade Social Studies at Friedell Middle School in the Rochester Public School District.
Lucas Ellerbusch - Assistant Director/Coach
Lucas is in his fourth year coaching for the MN Lightning serving as an assistant each year. He played for the original “SE MN” Lightning team in 2013 and played through his 17u season. He founded the program with his father in 2013 and continues to assist with directing, recruiting, and coaching duties for the Lightning. Lucas was the assistant coach for the 17u team that finished the 2018 season with a 32-9 record and a number 8 ranking in the state by Prep Hoops Minnesota. He was also an assistant coach for the 15u team that finished the 2019 season with a 25-6 record and a number 6 ranking.
Lucas graduated from Rochester Mayo High School in 2016 where he was a 3 year varsity letter winner and 3 time academic all-conference selection. In his senior year, he served as a team captain and was awarded offensive player of the year by his team. He currently attends North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he is finishing up his degree. Lucas played 3 years of college basketball including 1 year at Crown College and 2 years at NCU. He was awarded NCU newcomer player of the year his sophomore season and has been a two time academic all-conference selection. He will be graduating in May 2020 from NCU and will continue to have an active role in the Lightning program after graduation.
Lucas is in his fourth year coaching for the MN Lightning serving as an assistant each year. He played for the original “SE MN” Lightning team in 2013 and played through his 17u season. He founded the program with his father in 2013 and continues to assist with directing, recruiting, and coaching duties for the Lightning. Lucas was the assistant coach for the 17u team that finished the 2018 season with a 32-9 record and a number 8 ranking in the state by Prep Hoops Minnesota. He was also an assistant coach for the 15u team that finished the 2019 season with a 25-6 record and a number 6 ranking.
Lucas graduated from Rochester Mayo High School in 2016 where he was a 3 year varsity letter winner and 3 time academic all-conference selection. In his senior year, he served as a team captain and was awarded offensive player of the year by his team. He currently attends North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he is finishing up his degree. Lucas played 3 years of college basketball including 1 year at Crown College and 2 years at NCU. He was awarded NCU newcomer player of the year his sophomore season and has been a two time academic all-conference selection. He will be graduating in May 2020 from NCU and will continue to have an active role in the Lightning program after graduation.
Garrett Studer - Assistant Director/Coach
Garrett will be entering his 3rd year coaching for the MN Lightning program, and his 8th year with the program overall. He played for the original "SE MN" Lightning team in 2013 and played through his 17u season with the team. He then stayed on with the program afterwards, originally assisting with recruiting, until 2018, when he also came on board as a coach. His 15U team finished the 2018 season ranked 11th in the state of Minnesota by Prep Hoops, while compiling a 32-9 record. He continues to recruit, coach, and assist with management duties.
Garrett graduated from Dover-Eyota High School in 2016 where he was a 4 year varsity letter-winner in basketball and a First Team All-Conference selection his senior year. He currently resides in Cedar Falls, Iowa, where he is a student at the University of Northern Iowa. He will be graduating in December 2019 from UNI and expects to continue in his role for the Lightning after graduation.
Garrett will be entering his 3rd year coaching for the MN Lightning program, and his 8th year with the program overall. He played for the original "SE MN" Lightning team in 2013 and played through his 17u season with the team. He then stayed on with the program afterwards, originally assisting with recruiting, until 2018, when he also came on board as a coach. His 15U team finished the 2018 season ranked 11th in the state of Minnesota by Prep Hoops, while compiling a 32-9 record. He continues to recruit, coach, and assist with management duties.
Garrett graduated from Dover-Eyota High School in 2016 where he was a 4 year varsity letter-winner in basketball and a First Team All-Conference selection his senior year. He currently resides in Cedar Falls, Iowa, where he is a student at the University of Northern Iowa. He will be graduating in December 2019 from UNI and expects to continue in his role for the Lightning after graduation.
Dustin Boll - Coach
2019 was Dustin’s first year with the Lightning, and he had a great season coaching the 13u team. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of basketball to the program. He has coached a variety of ages and levels since 2006, ranging from youth teams to stops as an assistant coach at numerous Division II and Division III colleges such as the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Winona State University, and Bemidji State University. He is currently the Head JV/Assistant Varsity coach for the Minnetonka Skippers.
Dustin graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Wisconsin-La Crosse in 2014 and obtained his Master’s degree in Leadership Education-Sports Management from Winona State University in 2017. He currently resides in Roseville, MN and works as a Special Education Paraprofessional at Minnetonka High School.
2019 was Dustin’s first year with the Lightning, and he had a great season coaching the 13u team. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of basketball to the program. He has coached a variety of ages and levels since 2006, ranging from youth teams to stops as an assistant coach at numerous Division II and Division III colleges such as the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Winona State University, and Bemidji State University. He is currently the Head JV/Assistant Varsity coach for the Minnetonka Skippers.
Dustin graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Wisconsin-La Crosse in 2014 and obtained his Master’s degree in Leadership Education-Sports Management from Winona State University in 2017. He currently resides in Roseville, MN and works as a Special Education Paraprofessional at Minnetonka High School.
Will Swiggum - Trainer/Coach
Will just finished his second season coaching for the Lightning. He has coached at the 16u level both years with the program. Will is an established basketball trainer in the area and is a great teacher of the game. He has helped many players in the program improve their skills tremendously.
Will graduated from St. Charles High School in 2012 where he was a standout player for the Saints. He then went on to play college basketball at Saint Mary’s in Winona, MN for the next 4 years. While playing for the Cardinals he was awarded MIAC All-First Year team as well as Honorable Mention All-MIAC both his Sophomore and Seniors seasons. Will currently lives in Rochester, MN and runs the Will Over Skill training in which he trains many athletes in Southeastern Minnesota.
Will just finished his second season coaching for the Lightning. He has coached at the 16u level both years with the program. Will is an established basketball trainer in the area and is a great teacher of the game. He has helped many players in the program improve their skills tremendously.
Will graduated from St. Charles High School in 2012 where he was a standout player for the Saints. He then went on to play college basketball at Saint Mary’s in Winona, MN for the next 4 years. While playing for the Cardinals he was awarded MIAC All-First Year team as well as Honorable Mention All-MIAC both his Sophomore and Seniors seasons. Will currently lives in Rochester, MN and runs the Will Over Skill training in which he trains many athletes in Southeastern Minnesota.
Jamaal Gibson - Coach
Jamaal just finished his first season with the Lightning as the head coach of the 14u team which finished 11th overall in the power score rankings in the Hard Work Region of the Prep Hoops Circuit. He has been coaching basketball since 2013 where he started as a youth coach. He has been a high school coach at Austin High School since 2015 and currently serves as the head coach of the 10th grade team for the Packers. Jamaal lives in Austin, MN where he works as a Property Manager for Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
Jamaal just finished his first season with the Lightning as the head coach of the 14u team which finished 11th overall in the power score rankings in the Hard Work Region of the Prep Hoops Circuit. He has been coaching basketball since 2013 where he started as a youth coach. He has been a high school coach at Austin High School since 2015 and currently serves as the head coach of the 10th grade team for the Packers. Jamaal lives in Austin, MN where he works as a Property Manager for Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
Spencer Ellerbusch - Coach
Spencer has coached in the Lightning program for 5 years and coached one of the four 17U teams this year. He has 8 years of coaching experience at the youth-JV levels. Spencer has coached at Faribault BA, Stewartville, Wabasha Kellogg, and Austin. He has worked at various basketball camps such at KAT camp and was the Director of Basketball Activities at Camp Dearborn. Spencer is currently finishing his degree in Physical/Health Education at Concordia-St. Paul.
Spencer has coached in the Lightning program for 5 years and coached one of the four 17U teams this year. He has 8 years of coaching experience at the youth-JV levels. Spencer has coached at Faribault BA, Stewartville, Wabasha Kellogg, and Austin. He has worked at various basketball camps such at KAT camp and was the Director of Basketball Activities at Camp Dearborn. Spencer is currently finishing his degree in Physical/Health Education at Concordia-St. Paul.
Tad Schwartzhoff - Coach
Tad has coached in the Lightning program for 3 years. In 2019 he coached one of our 17U teams. He also has coached in the La Crescent basketball program. Tad has been a High School basketball official for 30 years, officiating many sections games and 6 state tournaments. He played High School basketball for Terry Knothe at St. Charles. Tad currently works as a Senior Analytical Chemist at Dairyland Power in La Crosse WI. Tad is an avid runner and has completed 5 marathons.
Tad has coached in the Lightning program for 3 years. In 2019 he coached one of our 17U teams. He also has coached in the La Crescent basketball program. Tad has been a High School basketball official for 30 years, officiating many sections games and 6 state tournaments. He played High School basketball for Terry Knothe at St. Charles. Tad currently works as a Senior Analytical Chemist at Dairyland Power in La Crosse WI. Tad is an avid runner and has completed 5 marathons.
Zach Hinrichs - Coach
The 2019 season was Zach’s first with the Lightning, and he spent it coaching one of the four 17u teams. He got his start with basketball as a player, where he was an all-conference and all-area player at Lake City until he graduated high school in 2012. He then went on to play at Riverland Community College in Austin, MN and Saint Mary’s University in Winona, MN. He began coaching in 2015 at the elementary school level. In 2016 -2017 he was the 9th grade boys coach for Winona Cotter. From 2017-2019 he was the Head Girls Varsity Basketball coach for Wabasha-Kellogg High School. He currently is an assistant men’s and women’s coach at Riverland Community College and also teaches in the Lyle Pacelli School District.
The 2019 season was Zach’s first with the Lightning, and he spent it coaching one of the four 17u teams. He got his start with basketball as a player, where he was an all-conference and all-area player at Lake City until he graduated high school in 2012. He then went on to play at Riverland Community College in Austin, MN and Saint Mary’s University in Winona, MN. He began coaching in 2015 at the elementary school level. In 2016 -2017 he was the 9th grade boys coach for Winona Cotter. From 2017-2019 he was the Head Girls Varsity Basketball coach for Wabasha-Kellogg High School. He currently is an assistant men’s and women’s coach at Riverland Community College and also teaches in the Lyle Pacelli School District.
Jason Timm - Coach
Jason just spent his first year with the Lightning program coaching one of the three 16u teams. He played high school basketball in Brillion, WI, until he graduated in 2016. He then went on to play college basketball at Saint Mary’s University for 2 years, and is now an assistant coach for the team. He is currently in his Senior year at Saint Mary’s this fall.
Jason just spent his first year with the Lightning program coaching one of the three 16u teams. He played high school basketball in Brillion, WI, until he graduated in 2016. He then went on to play college basketball at Saint Mary’s University for 2 years, and is now an assistant coach for the team. He is currently in his Senior year at Saint Mary’s this fall.
Adam Leary - Coach
Adam played for the Lightning from 2014 to 2018, and came back to the program as a coach this season where he co-coached one of the two 15u teams. Adam played basketball for Rochester Mayo from 2016 to 2018 where he started on varsity as a sophomore. Adam is currently freshman in college at the University of Central Florida.
Adam played for the Lightning from 2014 to 2018, and came back to the program as a coach this season where he co-coached one of the two 15u teams. Adam played basketball for Rochester Mayo from 2016 to 2018 where he started on varsity as a sophomore. Adam is currently freshman in college at the University of Central Florida.
Zach Kjeseth - Coach
Zach played for the Lightning for two years in 2016 and 2017, and came back to the program as a coach this season where he co-coached one of the two 15u teams. Zach was an outstanding player in High School at Wabasha-Kellogg. He was an all-conference and Winona All-Area selection both his Junior and Senior seasons before graduating in 2018. He now plays at Saint Mary’s University in Winona, MN where he is in his sophomore year of college.
Zach played for the Lightning for two years in 2016 and 2017, and came back to the program as a coach this season where he co-coached one of the two 15u teams. Zach was an outstanding player in High School at Wabasha-Kellogg. He was an all-conference and Winona All-Area selection both his Junior and Senior seasons before graduating in 2018. He now plays at Saint Mary’s University in Winona, MN where he is in his sophomore year of college.