It has been an offseason of change for the Madison College basketball teams. Both the men’s basketball and women’s basketball teams will have new coaches this year.

Bill Kegler will take the helm of the men’s basketball program after serving as an assistant coach on the team since the 2011 season.

Lois Heeren is the new women’s basketball coach, coming to Madison College after 17 years of coaching at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Kegler replaces Scot Vesterdahl, who has coached men’s basketball at the college for 14 years. Vesterdahl coached from 1996 to 1999 and 2004 to 2016, compiling a 249-242 record.

In addition to his coaching duties, Kegler will run the new Goodman Sports Complex at Madison College upon its completion. Kegler’s experiences include serving as the general manager at Just A Game Fieldhouse in Wisconsin Dells and directing Just A Game’s Select AAU basketball program.

“Bill has extensive experience and the credentials needed to run our new Irwin A. and Robert D. Goodman Sports Complex,” Madison College athletic director Steve Hauser said in a website posting announcing Kegler’s hiring.

“In addition, Coach Kegler has been with our men’s basketball program for a number of years as an assistant and I know he will do a great job leading our program as he is an excellent teacher of basketball and will be a wonderful role model and mentor for our men’s basketball student-athletes,” Hauser said.

Kegler played basketball at UW-LaCrosse, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise sports science. In 2011, he received a master’s degree in recreation in sport and tourism from the University of Illinois.

The Madison College women’s basketball program is replacing one highly successful coach with another.

Heeren replaces Jessica Pelzel, who resigned her post after 10 years at the helm of the WolfPack women’s basketball team. Pelzel compiled a 211-93 record and led her team to a NJCAA Division III national title in 2009-10.

Heeren posted 209 victories as coach at UW-LaCrosse, becoming the winningest coach in school history. In addition to her coaching duties, Heeren will also be a physical education instructor at Madison College.

“Lois brings a wealth of professional and life experiences to our physical education program and athletic department,” Hauser said in a press release.

“In getting to know Lois, it became very clear very quickly, that she has a real passion for working with students and athletes. I know that she will work very hard to provide a positive environment for the students she engages with and the student-athletes that she coaches.”

Heeren has a bachelor’s degree in physical education and coaching from Truman State University and a master’s degree in administration of fitness and wellness programs from the University of Iowa.