MINNEAPOLIS – Former South Dakota State University men’s basketball coach Brad Soderberg wants everyone to know he still has his cowbell.

“It’s one of my memories from South Dakota State,” he said with a chuckle.

Soderberg’s tenure in Brookings was short (1993-95) as he stayed just two seasons before leaving to take an assistant coaching job at the University of Wisconsin.

In Soderberg’s mind, a spot on the staff at Wisconsin was the only job he would have left Brookings for. You see, Wisconsin’s coach at the time was Dick Bennett, who happened to be Soderberg’s college coach at Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

“I remember the dilemma we faced in leaving,” Soderberg said. “We loved SDSU, we loved Brookings and we met so many wonderful people there. The only reason I left is my college coach asked me to come to Wisconsin and be his assistant. I couldn’t say no.”

Wisconsin experienced tremendous success during the Bennett era. Success that has largely continued to this day. Soderberg helped the Badgers advance to four NCAA Tournaments, including the 2000 Final Four, during his six years as an assistant at Wisconsin.

Soderberg is back at the Final Four this week as an assistant coach at the University of Virginia. UVA’s head coach happens to be Tony Bennett, son of Soderberg’s mentor Dick Bennett.

“It’s pretty amazing. My connections with the Bennetts go way back,” Soderberg said. “Dick Bennett led a program at Wisconsin that was down in the dumps to a Final Four, and now to be back at the Final Four with his son is just remarkable.”

Virginia, a No. 1 seed, plays No. 5 seed Auburn at 5:09 p.m. Saturday. 

Last season, the Cavaliers become the first No. 1 seed to ever lose to a No. 16 seed when the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) took down UVA 71-54 in the first round. That makes the Final Four even sweeter for the coaching staff.

“That was rough for all of us,” Soderberg said. “I’m just so happy for Coach Bennett particularly in light of the way last season ended.”

Tony Bennett has the reputation as a coach who does everything right on and off the court. Google one of his press conferences, or watch a video snippet on Twitter or Facebook and you’ll see a coach who is grounded. He talks about faith and family being most important to him. That’s what guides him. It’s not about wins and losses.

“He’s genuine. He’s really just like all that has been advertised,” Soderberg said. “He’s the kind of guy you would like your son to play for. I hate to just go on and on about my boss, but he’s been my friend for way, way longer than we’ve been on the same staff together.”

Tony Bennett said his program is fortunate to have a coach with Soderberg’s experience on his staff.

“To have a person who’s been a head coach on your staff is invaluable because they have been in that spot,” Bennett said during a press conference Thursday at US Bank Stadium. “Brad is so humble and he is so good. He did a great job when he took over for my father at Wisconsin.”

Back to the conversation with Soderberg earlier this week. I asked him if he still pays attention to the Jackrabbits.

“I still follow the program as an observer as best I can,” he said. “I’ll always be a Jackrabbit supporter.”

He also praised SDSU’s administration for moving at lightning speed last week in hiring Jackrabbit assistant Eric Henderson after head coach T.J. Otzelberger bolted for UNLV.

“I wish that would happen more often, especially when the coaching move is a result of success and the head coach just gets an opportunity he perceives to be better.

“I think so many times the assistant coaches who were a part of that success deserve the opportunity to lead the program from there,” he added. “Assistant coaches contribute a lot day to day to elevate a program. I commend SDSU for making that decision to elevate (Henderson) so quickly.”

If you tune into the game tonight, look for Soderberg on the sideline. He’ll be the guy who looks like he’s listening for a cowbell. 

Billy McMacken is publisher at The Brookings Register. Contact him once March Madness ends at bmcmacken@brookingsregister.com.