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Dan Mortensen: Interim rodeo coach at Northwest College

Dan Mortensen, a six-time world champion saddle bronc rider and 2009 inductee into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, has agreed to serve as interim rodeo coach at Northwest College (NWC) in Powell, WY. Mortensen takes over for Ryan Vander Pluym, who resigned Feb. 7, barely six months after being hired.

Mortensen, who attended Northwest College and competed on the Trapper rodeo team before transferring to Montana State, met with team members Feb. 11 to begin the transition. Mortensen will direct the Trappers through five spring competition dates and the College National Finals Rodeo, if the team qualifies.

“I got approached when (former NWC rodeo coach Del Nose) decided that he was going to retire from the program,” Mortensen told the Powell Tribune. “They encouraged me to replace him, but that wasn’t something I was willing, or able, to do at the time. A couple weeks ago, I was contacted and asked if I’d be willing to step in (as interim coach), and I was happy to do that.



“To start with, with me coming in from the outside, I just need to find out where everyone is at with their level. I want to teach the sport of rodeo as a whole. I think one-third of the rodeo profession is your riding ability, about one-third is mental and that last third of it is the business side.”

While Mortensen has never coached previously, he has helped out the program that gave him his collegiate start by providing instruction at campus rodeo schools and clinics.



“I enjoy helping the next generation of rodeo athletes out,” Mortensen said.

Mark Kitchen, vice president for college relations, indicated no reason had been provided for Vander Pluym’s resignation.

Dan Mortensen, a six-time world champion saddle bronc rider and 2009 inductee into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, has agreed to serve as interim rodeo coach at Northwest College (NWC) in Powell, WY. Mortensen takes over for Ryan Vander Pluym, who resigned Feb. 7, barely six months after being hired.

Mortensen, who attended Northwest College and competed on the Trapper rodeo team before transferring to Montana State, met with team members Feb. 11 to begin the transition. Mortensen will direct the Trappers through five spring competition dates and the College National Finals Rodeo, if the team qualifies.

“I got approached when (former NWC rodeo coach Del Nose) decided that he was going to retire from the program,” Mortensen told the Powell Tribune. “They encouraged me to replace him, but that wasn’t something I was willing, or able, to do at the time. A couple weeks ago, I was contacted and asked if I’d be willing to step in (as interim coach), and I was happy to do that.

“To start with, with me coming in from the outside, I just need to find out where everyone is at with their level. I want to teach the sport of rodeo as a whole. I think one-third of the rodeo profession is your riding ability, about one-third is mental and that last third of it is the business side.”

While Mortensen has never coached previously, he has helped out the program that gave him his collegiate start by providing instruction at campus rodeo schools and clinics.

“I enjoy helping the next generation of rodeo athletes out,” Mortensen said.

Mark Kitchen, vice president for college relations, indicated no reason had been provided for Vander Pluym’s resignation.