St. Olaf College has appointed John Cheng as the new head coach for its men鈥檚 basketball program, succeeding Dan Kosmoski after his retirement. Cheng, who previously served as associate head coach at Elmhurst University, brings extensive experience and a strong recruitment record to the role. His first day at St. Olaf will be June 8, marking a significant transition for the Oles as they enter a new era in their basketball program.

By the Numbers
  • Cheng boasts a coaching record of 64-34 (.653) at Elmhurst, with a CCIW Tournament championship and a national runner-up finish in 2021-22.
  • He helped guide Elmhurst to four consecutive CCIW Tournament appearances.
State of Play
  • Cheng's hiring comes after a long tenure of stability under Kosmoski, who coached for 32 seasons.
  • The men鈥檚 basketball program aims to build on its traditional strengths while integrating Cheng鈥檚 leadership style.
What's Next

Cheng is set to focus on recruiting high-character athletes and fostering a competitive environment. Under his guidance, the program aims to establish a stronger presence in upcoming tournaments and further develop student-athletes both athletically and academically.

Bottom Line

As St. Olaf embarks on this new chapter with John Cheng, the emphasis will be on elevating the men鈥檚 basketball program while nurturing student-athlete success and community engagement. This leadership change presents an opportunity to enhance the Ole Athletics culture.