Todd Lorensen was named head coach at Graceland University heading into the 2023-2024 season after serving one season as Assistant Coach for the program.

"It was immediately clear to us that Todd's coaching ability is significant, and we are excited about the future," said McKillip. "His coaching experiences, successes and record speak for themselves. He has been a fantastic member of the Graceland coaching staff, and we are looking forward to his leadership on the sidelines for the entire men's basketball program." The 2022-2023 campaign included a 10 win improvement from the year prior as well as a post season qualification for the Yellow Jackets.

"In my time at Graceland, I've gained a deep appreciation for this institution and the leadership we have throughout campus," Lorensen said. "Our staff is going to work diligently to provide our student-athletes with a positive experience both on and off the court."

Lorensen has helped orchestrate turnarounds as an assistant and head coach throughout his career.
During two years at the helm of Mount Marty University, Lorensen and his staff took a dormant program to new heights with a 20 win season in 19-20 and making GPAC history as the first 8 seed to reach the championship game of the post season tournament in 20-21. The three GPAC post season wins in two years are the only post season GPAC wins in the history of the program that spans three decades.
Three consecutive wins vs NAIA top 20 programs were capped off with a 106-98 road win over rival and #6 ranked Dakota Wesleyan. That led to a string of 10 consecutive weeks the Lancers spent in the NAIA top 25. On February 12th the regular season sweep of the Tigers was completed in Cimpl Arena with a 72-61 victory. For the 19-20 year they had six wins vs Top 25 opponents and another over a team earning votes. The success continued as the Lancers qualified for the GPAC tournament for the first time in eight seasons and won at #21 ranked Dordt for the first postseason win since the 2005-2006 campaign.

The 19-20 team lead conference action in scoring at 87.25 points per game and had four players selected as all conference. Chris King led the way as a 3rd Team NAIA All-American and 1st Team All GPAC selection. Seniors Colby Johnson and Jordan Johnson were honored as 2nd Team All GPAC while Junior Jailen Billings was named to the Honorable Mention list.
The high scoring Lancers had multiple team and individual stats in the top 25 nationally.

Team Stats:
#2 in 3-Point FG Made Per Game (13.219)
#2 in 3-Point FG Made in Season (423)* New school record
#4 in Turnover Margin (5.594) *New school record
#5 in Assist/Turnover Ration (1.620)
#14 in Total Scoring (2730) *New school record
#19 in 3-Point FG% (38.6)
#20 in FT% (74.6)
#21 in Scoring Offense Per Game (85.313)
Individual Stats:
#10 Chris King 3-Point FG Made (100) *Mount Marty Season Record
#12 Colby Johnson 3-Point FG% (47.3) *Mount Marty Season Record
#13 Chris King 3-Point FG Made Per Game (3.33)
#21 Colby Johnson FG% (56.4)
#22 Chris King Points Per Game (20.83)
#24 Chris King Total Scoring (625)

Lorensen served as head coach at Buena Vista University for one season after serving as head coach and Director of Athletics at Southwestern Community College in Creston, Iowa.
At the start of Lorensen's tenure at Southwestern, he took over the program less than a month before the start of the school year in 2014 and assembled a team that posted a solid 23-10 record. In just his second season he guided the Spartans to a school record 25 wins. The very next year, the team marched to a 36-1 overall record and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national title in 2016-17. Lorensen went on to earn District Eight NJCAA Coach of the Year, National NJCAA DII Coach of the Year, NABC National Junior College Coach of Year, IBCA (Iowa Basketball Coaches Association) College Coach of the Year, and Hoopdirt.com NJCAA Coach of the Year honors.

In addition, he was selected as head coach of the NJCAA All-Star Game and asked to present at various Nike coaching clinics, among greats like coaches Bobby Knight and Bo Ryan. In his four seasons, Lorensen posted an overall mark of 113-25 after the team had won just 39 percent of its games the previous five seasons. He also led the program to a 35-13 Iowa Community College Athletic Conference record and captured back-to-back conference titles in 2015-16 and 2016-17.

Prior to taking over at Southwestern, Coach Lorensen served one season as head coach at Iowa Wesleyan University in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, and also had stints as an assistant coach at Truman State University (2011-13), University of Nebraska-Omaha (2008-11) and Grand View University (2007-08).
A Monroe, Iowa native Lorensen comes from a coaching family as his dad is the current PCM High School coach and has compiled 624 career victories. That has him top 5 of active coaches and in the top 15 in the history of Iowa. Lorensen played basketball collegiately at Quincy University and Grand View University and holds a bachelor's degree in business administration, as well as a master's degree in business administration from Bellevue University.

CAREER:
2007-2008 Grand View University Assistant
2008-2011 University Nebraska-Omaha Assistant
2011-2013 Truman State University Assistant
2013-2014 Iowa Wesleyan Head Coach (6-19)
2014-2018 Southwestern Community College Head Coach (113-25, 2017 National Champions)
2018-2019 Buena Vista University Head Coach (11-14)
2019-2021 Mount Marty University Head Coach (31-29)

What Others Are Saying About Todd Lorensen
Craig Doty, Head Coach Emporia State University, Graceland National Champion Men's Basketball Coach 2016-18
"Todd is a national-level coach who has the proven ability to create teams and cultures that consistently compete at a high level. Graceland means a lot to my family and me.  We couldn't be more excited that Todd will be the next head men's basketball coach of the Yellowjackets!"

Matt Woodley, Wake Forest University
"Todd was one of the best assistants I've ever had. His attention to detail and tireless work ethic were a huge reason for our turnaround at Truman State. He prioritizes relationships with players and everyone around campus. Graceland is in great hands and poised to be a consistent winner under his leadership."

Ben McCollum, Head Coach Northwest Missouri State University
"I've known Todd for many years. His basketball mind and his care for the athletes he coaches will put Graceland back on the national stage. Fantastic hire for their athletic department."