MITCHELL — Mitchell High School girls basketball coach Cole Knippling has resigned from his post, the Mitchell School District announced Sunday, March 27.
Knippling has coached the Kernels for the last three seasons with a coaching record of 33-33 in that time. He is leaving the Mitchell School District to become the principal for grades 6-12 in Parkston.
“While I'm excited for the challenge that being a school principal will bring, I'm also sad to be leaving such a great job at the same time," Knippling said in a statement. "I've loved my four years teaching and coaching in the Mitchell community and will miss it dearly. I cannot say thank you enough to everyone for the support we have received as a family during our time here."
Prior to coaching the Kernel girls, he was an assistant coach for the MHS boys basketball program for one season. A native of Chamberlain, Knippling was hired in 2019 in Mitchell and previously coached the Elk Point-Jefferson boys program for nine seasons. At MHS, Knippling was a math teacher.
"As for the girls basketball team, it's hard to wrap my head around the fact that I won't get to coach this great group of talented, high-character ladies next year, but I know that their future is bright and will support them from afar,” Knippling said.
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Mitchell was 9-12 this past season. The 2020-21 season was Mitchell's strongest in the Knippling era, finishing 16-8 and in sixth place in Class AA at the state tournament in Sioux Falls.
“I want to thank Cole for his efforts, dedication and service to the Mitchell Kernels athletic programs," MHS Activities Director Cory Aadland said. "He is an incredible coach, and we were fortunate for his time with us. He was a great asset to not only our athletic programs but also to the Mitchell School District and the Mitchell community. We will miss him and his family but wish them nothing but the best in the future.”
Aadland said a search to find a replacement will begin immediately.
