DICKINSON, N.D. — Dickinson State University Athletics has announced it will begin a national search for the next head coach of the Blue Hawk women's basketball program ahead of the 2026–27 season.

Eric Nelson, who served as head coach for the past seven seasons, compiled a 63–130 overall record during his tenure leading the program.

"We want to thank Eric for his contributions and dedication to the Dickinson State women's basketball program," said Dickinson State Athletic Director Pete Stanton. "We appreciate all he has done for our University for the last seven years and wish him all the best going forward."

Nelson guided the Blue Hawks through seven seasons on the sidelines, overseeing the development of numerous student-athletes while leading the program through the challenges of the competitive North Star Athletic Association and Frontier Conference schedules. During his time at Dickinson State, Nelson helped mentor several all-conference performers and emphasized academic success and personal growth within the program.

Dickinson State will immediately begin a comprehensive search to identify the next leader of the women's basketball program as the Blue Hawks prepare for the 2026–27 season. The search will focus on finding a candidate who can continue to build a competitive program while fostering the development of student-athletes both on and off the court.

Additional updates on the coaching search will be announced by the Dickinson State athletic department as they become available.