Justin Heckenlaible enters his fifth season as an assistant coach with the University of Sioux Falls men's basketball program in 2026-27. A veteran coach with nearly three decades of collegiate experience, Heckenlaible assists with all aspects of the program, including player development, scouting, recruiting, and game preparation.
Heckenlaible completed his fourth season on the Cougar staff in 2025-26, helping guide USF to a 15-15 overall record and an 11-11 mark in NSIC play while averaging 85.5 points per game. Under his guidance, Brogan Madson earned NSIC Newcomer of the Year and First-Team All-NSIC honors, while Kyle Ingwerson garnered Second-Team All-NSIC recognition. The program also continued its success in the classroom, earning two NSIC Team of Excellence honors, two NSIC All-Academic selections, four CSC Academic All-District honors, and a CorTrust Scholar-Athlete designation for Taylen Ashley.
During his time at Sioux Falls, Heckenlaible has helped the Cougars to consistent success in the NSIC, including a 19-11 record and a share of the NSIC South Division title in 2022-23. He has also helped mentor multiple all-conference performers, an NSIC Defensive Player of the Year, an NSIC Newcomer of the Year, and numerous academic award recipients.
Prior to arriving at USF, Heckenlaible spent four years as a basketball skills trainer with Warwick Workouts in Sioux Falls, working with athletes of all ages and skill levels throughout the region.
Heckenlaible previously served as the head men's basketball coach at Minnesota West Community & Technical College from 2002-16. During his 14 seasons leading the Bluejays, he established one of the top junior college programs in the region and earned Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) Coach of the Year honors in both 2012 and 2014.
Before taking over at Minnesota West, Heckenlaible spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Augustana University from 1999-2002 after beginning his collegiate coaching career as an assistant coach at Dakota State University from 1997-99.
As a student-athlete, Heckenlaible competed in both basketball and baseball at Dakota State University. He earned his bachelor's degree in computer and business education from DSU in 1996 before receiving his master's degree in athletic administration from the University of South Dakota in 2002.
Heckenlaible and his wife, Heidi, have one son, Trey.
USF Records and Accomplishments
- 1 NSIC South Division Co-Championship (2022-23)
- 1 NSIC Newcomer of the Year
- 1 NSIC Defensive Player of the Year
- 5 All-NSIC selections
- 1 D2CCA All-Central Region honoree
- 1 NABC All-District honoree
- 8 CSC Academic All-District selections
- 2 NSIC Team of Excellence honors
- 1 CorTrust Scholar-Athlete honoree
- 1 NABC Team Academic Excellence Award (2024-25)
Updated 6/18/2026
