Dane Fife
Encyclopedia
Dane Fife is an American
college basketball
coach. He is a currently an assistant coach at Michigan State
under head coach Tom Izzo
.
Fife is the former head coach of the Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) Mastodons men's basketball team
and former college assistant coach at Indiana University
. Dane is the son of Clarkston High School head coach and former Minnesota Twins
pitcher Dan Fife. He is the younger brother of former Michigan basketball captain Dugan Fife.
. In basketball, he was coached by his father, Dan Fife. After his senior season in 1998, he was named Mr. Basketball of Michigan
over runner-up Antonio Gates
, and was also named a McDonald's All-American and Parade All-American. A blue-chip recruit in basketball and also a star quarterback, Fife was recruited to play both sports in college. He ultimately committed to play basketball for Indiana University
under head coach Bob Knight. He chose Indiana over Duke
, Michigan State
and Michigan
, where his father had played baseball and his older brother Dugan had played basketball. Fife became a vocal supporter of Knight, and nearly transferred from the team to Michigan State following the coach's firing in 2000.
Fife was a starter for the Indiana Hoosiers
during their 2002 NCAA runner-up campaign. He finished his career with the Hoosiers having scored 736 total points. Fife also owns Indiana's all-time steals record (180) and earned the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award his senior season of 2001-02.
One of the more well-known plays of his college career came on a controversial call during the final seconds of a 2002 Sweet Sixteen
game against Duke
. The Blue Devils were down by four points with enough time remaining for one play when Fife was called for fouling Jason Williams
on a 3-point shot. Williams' shot was good, and he was given the opportunity to tie the game with a free throw. Fortunately for Fife, Williams failed to connect on the shot from the charity stripe, and the Hoosiers advanced to the Elite Eight
by holding on for a 74–73 win. Fife is often asked about the play and denies committing the foul
to this day. The Hoosiers continued their NCAA Tournament run, defeating Kent State and Oklahoma
before falling to Maryland
in the National Championship game, 64–52.
Fife played one season of professional basketball, in 2002 with the Gary Steelheads
of the Continental Basketball Association
.
Fife spent two seasons as an assistant coach to Mike Davis at Indiana University
before becoming the Mastodons head coach. During his time as an assistant, he concurrently earned a master's degree
in athletic administration.
Head Coach of IPFW
Fife was named head coach of the IPFW Mastodons basketball team in 2005 at the age of 25. In his first season he led the Mastodons to 10 wins, the most the team had earned in a season since jumping to Division I in 2001. In his fifth season as coach, the Mastodons posted their first ever winning record as a Division I basketball team. Since joining the Summit League in the 2007-2008 season, the Mastodons have finished no worse than fifth place in conference play.
The 2009-10 squad produced the first winning record since the program joined Division 1 in 2001.
Before the 2010-2011 season, Fife had considered assistant coaching jobs at Indiana
under Tom Crean
and the Michigan
under John Beilein
. He ultimately remained at IPFW, where he coached the team to a program-best 18-12 record.
Following the 2010-11 season Fife was contacted by Purdue
basketball head coach Matt Painter
to fill the associate head coach position. On April 15, 2011 Fife withdrew his name from consideration for the Purdue
job.
Assistant at Michigan State
Fife was named assistant coach at Michigan State
by Tom Izzo
on April 20, 2011. He replaced Mark Montgomery
, who was named head coach at Northern Illinois
in March of 2011.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
coach. He is a currently an assistant coach at Michigan State
Michigan State Spartans men's basketball
The Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team represents Michigan State University and competes in the Big Ten Conference of NCAA Division I. The team currently plays at the Breslin Student Events Center...
under head coach Tom Izzo
Tom Izzo
Tom Izzo is an American college basketball coach. Since 1995, he has been the head coach for the Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team, presiding over a prolonged period of success....
.
Fife is the former head coach of the Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) Mastodons men's basketball team
IPFW Mastodons men's basketball
The IPFW Mastodons Basketball team is the basketball team that represent Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The school's team currently competes in The Summit League. The team has never played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. The Mastodons are...
and former college assistant coach at Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
. Dane is the son of Clarkston High School head coach and former Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
pitcher Dan Fife. He is the younger brother of former Michigan basketball captain Dugan Fife.
Playing career
Fife played basketball and football for Clarkston High School in Clarkston, MichiganClarkston, Michigan
Clarkston, known officially by the name City of the Village of Clarkston, is a small city located within Independence Charter Township in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 882 at the 2010 census.-Overview:...
. In basketball, he was coached by his father, Dan Fife. After his senior season in 1998, he was named Mr. Basketball of Michigan
Mr. Basketball of Michigan
Each year the Hal Schram Mr. Basketball award is given to the person chosen as the best high school boys basketball player in the U.S. state of Michigan...
over runner-up Antonio Gates
Antonio Gates
Antonio Gates is an American football tight end for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2003 after playing college basketball at Kent State University...
, and was also named a McDonald's All-American and Parade All-American. A blue-chip recruit in basketball and also a star quarterback, Fife was recruited to play both sports in college. He ultimately committed to play basketball for Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
under head coach Bob Knight. He chose Indiana over Duke
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
, Michigan State
Michigan State Spartans men's basketball
The Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team represents Michigan State University and competes in the Big Ten Conference of NCAA Division I. The team currently plays at the Breslin Student Events Center...
and Michigan
University of Michigan basketball scandal
The University of Michigan basketball scandal or Ed Martin scandal was a six-year investigation of the relationship between the University of Michigan, its men's basketball teams and basketball team booster Ed Martin...
, where his father had played baseball and his older brother Dugan had played basketball. Fife became a vocal supporter of Knight, and nearly transferred from the team to Michigan State following the coach's firing in 2000.
Fife was a starter for the Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana Hoosiers
The Indiana Hoosiers are the athletic teams for the Bloomington campus of Indiana University . Athletic teams sponsored by IU Bloomington include cross country, track, baseball, golf, tennis, rowing, volleyball, soccer, football and basketball...
during their 2002 NCAA runner-up campaign. He finished his career with the Hoosiers having scored 736 total points. Fife also owns Indiana's all-time steals record (180) and earned the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award his senior season of 2001-02.
One of the more well-known plays of his college career came on a controversial call during the final seconds of a 2002 Sweet Sixteen
2002 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2002 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 12, 2002, and ended with the championship game on April 1 in Atlanta, Georgia...
game against Duke
Duke Blue Devils men's basketball
The Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team is the college basketball program representing Duke University in the Atlantic Coast Conference of NCAA Division I...
. The Blue Devils were down by four points with enough time remaining for one play when Fife was called for fouling Jason Williams
Jay Williams (basketball)
Jason David Williams , professionally known as Jay Williams, is a former American professional basketball player with the NBA Chicago Bulls. He last signed with the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League, but was waived by the Toros on December 30, 2006 to rehabilitate a nagging injury...
on a 3-point shot. Williams' shot was good, and he was given the opportunity to tie the game with a free throw. Fortunately for Fife, Williams failed to connect on the shot from the charity stripe, and the Hoosiers advanced to the Elite Eight
Elite Eight
The term Elite Eight, or less commonly called "Great Eight", refers to the final eight teams in the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship or the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship; and, thus, represents the national quarterfinals. In Division I, the Elite Eight consists of the...
by holding on for a 74–73 win. Fife is often asked about the play and denies committing the foul
Foul (sports)
In sports, a foul is an inappropriate or unfair act by a player as deemed by a referee. A foul may be intentional or accidental, and often results in a penalty....
to this day. The Hoosiers continued their NCAA Tournament run, defeating Kent State and Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball
-1908-1980:The Sooners enjoyed moderate success on the court during this era, posting only 16 losing records in their first 72 seasons. They were coached by 9 different coaches during this period, beginning with Bennie Owen , and ending with Dave Bliss in 1980...
before falling to Maryland
Maryland Terrapins men's basketball
The Maryland Terrapins men's basketball team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I competition...
in the National Championship game, 64–52.
Fife played one season of professional basketball, in 2002 with the Gary Steelheads
Gary Steelheads
The Gary Steelheads were a professional basketball team that played in the International Basketball League. In the past they played in the International Basketball League, Continental Basketball Association, and the United States Basketball League. They were based in Gary, Indiana and played their...
of the Continental Basketball Association
Continental Basketball Association
The Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :...
.
Coaching career
Assistant at IndianaFife spent two seasons as an assistant coach to Mike Davis at Indiana University
Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball
The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Indiana University . The school competes in the Big Ten Conference in Division I of the NCAA. The Hoosiers play on Branch McCracken Court at the Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana on the IU...
before becoming the Mastodons head coach. During his time as an assistant, he concurrently earned a master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in athletic administration.
Head Coach of IPFW
Fife was named head coach of the IPFW Mastodons basketball team in 2005 at the age of 25. In his first season he led the Mastodons to 10 wins, the most the team had earned in a season since jumping to Division I in 2001. In his fifth season as coach, the Mastodons posted their first ever winning record as a Division I basketball team. Since joining the Summit League in the 2007-2008 season, the Mastodons have finished no worse than fifth place in conference play.
The 2009-10 squad produced the first winning record since the program joined Division 1 in 2001.
Before the 2010-2011 season, Fife had considered assistant coaching jobs at Indiana
Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball
The Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing Indiana University . The school competes in the Big Ten Conference in Division I of the NCAA. The Hoosiers play on Branch McCracken Court at the Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana on the IU...
under Tom Crean
Tom Crean
Thomas Crean also known as the "Irish Giant", born on was an Irish seaman and Antarctic explorer from County Kerry...
and the Michigan
Michigan Wolverines men's basketball
The Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing the University of Michigan. The school competes in the Big Ten Conference in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association . The Wolverines play home basketball games at the...
under John Beilein
John Beilein
John Beilein is an American college basketball coach and current men's basketball head coach at the University of Michigan. He is the 16th head coach of the Michigan Wolverines. The 2010–11 season was his fourth at Michigan, with whom he has a six-year contract...
. He ultimately remained at IPFW, where he coached the team to a program-best 18-12 record.
Following the 2010-11 season Fife was contacted by Purdue
Purdue Boilermakers men's basketball
The Purdue Boilermakers basketball team is a college basketball program that competes in NCAA Division I and is a member of the Big Ten Conference. Purdue basketball holds the record for most Big Ten Championships with 22, along with being the only program in the conference to boast winning records...
basketball head coach Matt Painter
Matt Painter
Matt Painter is the current head coach of the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team.-Playing career:Matt Painter attended Delta High School in Muncie and played basketball for current basketball coach and former athletic director, Stan Daugherty...
to fill the associate head coach position. On April 15, 2011 Fife withdrew his name from consideration for the Purdue
Purdue Boilermakers men's basketball
The Purdue Boilermakers basketball team is a college basketball program that competes in NCAA Division I and is a member of the Big Ten Conference. Purdue basketball holds the record for most Big Ten Championships with 22, along with being the only program in the conference to boast winning records...
job.
Assistant at Michigan State
Fife was named assistant coach at Michigan State
Michigan State Spartans men's basketball
The Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team represents Michigan State University and competes in the Big Ten Conference of NCAA Division I. The team currently plays at the Breslin Student Events Center...
by Tom Izzo
Tom Izzo
Tom Izzo is an American college basketball coach. Since 1995, he has been the head coach for the Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team, presiding over a prolonged period of success....
on April 20, 2011. He replaced Mark Montgomery
Mark Montgomery (basketball)
Mark Montgomery is an American college basketball coach and the current head men's basketball coach at Northern Illinois University. Montgomery replaced Ricardo Patton as head coach of the Huskies on March 24, 2011. Previously, Montgomery served as an assistant to head coach Tom Izzo at Michigan...
, who was named head coach at Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois Huskies men's basketball
The Northern Illinois Huskies Basketball team is the basketball team that represent Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. The school's team currently competes in the Mid-American Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 1996. The Huskies are...
in March of 2011.