After a year on the University of North Carolina women’s basketball staff, Daniel Metzelfeld is returning to Davidson College as an assistant coach, head coach Gayle Fulks announced Wednesday.
“We are excited to bring Coach Dan back into our program,” Fulks commented. “Dan has a great basketball mind, is a skilled developer of talent, and an infectious positive personality that brings out the best in those around him. He also has an incredible passion and a belief in our program. He fully understands what our potential is here and is excited to help us reach it.”
While with the Tar Heels in 2019-20, Metzelfeld served as the Director of Player Personnel, Development and Recruiting Operations, which is similar to the role he held with the Wildcats a year prior.
“I am so grateful to Coach Courtney Banghart for this past year,” said Metzelfeld. “Her trust in allowing me to grow in my role, and the opportunity to have worked at the University of North Carolina. The daily interaction with the staff and players was a blessing, and the experience I gained was invaluable to my career and my life.”
Metzelfeld’s duties included breaking down practice and game film as well as preparing opponent scouting reports. He also assisted with recruiting visits and game analysis. During his time with Davidson, the Wildcats set a program record for Atlantic 10 wins in a season, won the first A-10 tournament game and reached the postseason for the first time since 2012-13.
“The chance to return to Davidson College and work for Coach Gayle, who two years ago gave me my first opportunity at the Division I level, is absolutely surreal,” Metzelfeld said. “Promoting the elite academics Davidson College has to offer, while also being a part of recruiting for and coaching the elite style of play that Coach Gayle has instilled as a program, is something I can’t wait to actually start doing.”
“We fully expect him to hit the ground running,” said Fulks. “His familiarity with Davidson College and what makes us unique within the college athletics landscape, as well as our players, our style, our recruits, and of the Atlantic 10, should make for a quick transition.”
Before his initial stint at Davidson, Metzelfeld was the owner and founder of Train University Basketball and an elite basketball skills trainer and coach for All In Athletics in Highland Park, Ill. Metzelfeld conducted private and group skill development sessions as the founder of Train U and recruited players for the Elite adidas Gauntlet teams and planned tryouts, practices, tournaments and training sessions as a coach for All In Athletics.
Metzelfeld got his start in collegiate coaching as an assistant women’s basketball coach at his alma mater, Trinity International University, from 2013-2017. During his time with the Trojans, he assisted with practice plans, in-game strategy, scouting opponents and video exchange. Additionally, he was involved with in-season and off-season skill development while also serving as the recruiting coordinator.
As a student-athlete at Trinity International, Metzelfeld started coaching AAU girls basketball with Full Package Athletics in 2011. After beginning his playing career at Indiana University East, Metzelfeld spent his final three years Trinity, where he was a guard for the school in Deerfield, Ill. As a senior, Metzelfeld was named team captain while leading his team in scoring at 14.6 points per game. His play earned him Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Honorable Mention as well as NCCAA All-Region team and the team’s Most Outstanding Player Award.
A native of Indianapolis, Metzelfeld graduated from Trinity International in 2013 with a degree in athletic training. He went on to earn a master’s degree in administrative studies with a concentration in sports management from Missouri State in 2016.
