Nate Larson
Head Men's Basketball Coach
(406) 496-4205
nlarson@mtech.edu

Prior to his arrival at MSU-Northern, Nate worked as a Network Systems Support Specialist for Touch America in Butte, MT, and coached high school boys and girls basketball at Whitehall High and Butte Central High. In addition, Larson also served as the Founder/Tournament Director of the 2001-02 Frontier Conference Men's & Women's Basketball Tournament held annually in Butte. From mid-1999 to late-2000, Larson worked as a Control Systems Engineer in Scottsdale, AZ, and later moved back to Montana in order to enter the coaching profession.

As a collegiate student-athlete, Larson attended MSU-Northern from 1993 to 1996 and contributed to two Frontier Conference Championship basketball teams. After 3 years as a Light, Nate continued his academic and athletic career at Montana Tech. Larson was known for his competitive attitude, defensive intensity, and hard work on the court and scored over 6 points and pulled down 4 rebounds per contest over his 2 year career at Tech. During his senior season in 1998, Larson co-captained the Orediggers to the Frontier Conference Championship and the school's first ever trip to the NAIA National Tournament.

Overall, Nate was a member of 3 Frontier Conference Championship teams and made 3 trips to the NAIA Men's National Basketball Tournament.  During the 1998-99 season, Larson served as a student assistant coach for the Orediggers under Rick Dessing and helped Montana Tech repeat as Frontier Conference Champions and return to the NAIA National Tournament.

Nate’s hard work on the court carried over to theclassroom where he earned Academic All-Frontier Conference honors 4 times and was named to the NAIA Academic All-American team during his junior and senior years.

Nate was born in Browning, MT, and raised in Cut Bank, MT. A highest honors graduate, Larson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Control System Engineering from Montana Tech (1999) and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Montana (2006). In high school, Larson led Cut Bank High to the Class B State Basketball Championship, garnering MVP honors, and was also a member of the Montana-Wyoming All-Star Classic Basketball Team in 1993. Larson was a two-time All-State selection in basketball and also earned All-State honors in cross country.

Kyle Palmer
Asst. Men's Basketball Coach
Associate Sports Information Director
(406) 496-4844
k02palmer@mtech.edu

Kyle Palmer is in his 2nd season as the assistant coach for the Orediggers. Palmer’s duties at Tech include assisting in the day-to-day operations of Oredigger Basketball, on-floor coaching, and recruiting.  In addition, Palmer designed and implemented the team’s strength and conditioning program.  A tireless recruiter, Palmer spent a large part of last year working to bring in the twelve new players to the Men’s Basketball program. Along with his basketball duties, Palmer serves as the Associate Sports Information Director for the athletic department and oversees press releases, program publications, and fall sports statistics.

Palmer came to Montana Tech from Walsh University in Canton, OH, where he served as a graduate assistant coach for two years under Jeff Young. While at Walsh, the Cavaliers compiled a record of 54-15 and captured two American Mideast Conference championships. Walsh also advanced to the NAIA Division II National Tournament both seasons winning the National Championship in 2005 and advancing to the Elite Eight in 2006. While at Walsh Palmer assisted in the day to day administrative duties, film exchange, and assisted in the coaching of the post players.

Prior to Walsh, Palmer spent the 2003-2004 season as a student assistant at Boise State University. At Boise State Kyle assisted with on campus recruiting visits, organized the Broncos recruiting database, and assisted with practices. During his time at Boise, the Broncos went 23-10 advancing to the National Invitational Tournament where the defeated UNLV and UW-Milwaukee before falling to Marquette.

Palmer began his coaching career at Valley Christian Schools in Boise, ID in 1999. While there, he was a Junior High coach for two years before becoming the Varsity assistant. Palmer was the assistant coach for the Chargers in 2002 when they won the 1A State Championship. Kyle also coached for Ada County AAU basketball working with teams from the Boise area to prepare them for high school.

Palmer is a 1998 graduate of Stevensville High School in Stevensville, MT, where played basketball for current Yellowjacket coach Keith Chambers. Palmer earned a B.A. in History from Boise State University and a M.A. in Education from Walsh University. Kyle is married to Melissa (Vandehey), and they reside in Butte.