Wes Morgan tabbed to return as Mitchell girls basketball head coach next season
Apr. 3—MITCHELL — Mitchell High School is turning to a familiar face to lead its girls basketball program, announcing Friday that Wes Morgan will return as head coach for the 2026-27 season. The hire, which is pending Mitchell Board of Education approval, comes as Morgan replaces Dave Brooks, who guided the Kernels over the past four seasons and retired last month as season's end.
Morgan previously served as head coach of the Mitchell girls program for 11 seasons, compiling a 134-125 record before stepping away in 2019. Under his leadership, Mitchell reached six state tournaments, including a run of three consecutive state championship appearances from 2012 to 2014. That stretch was highlighted by a state title in 2012, one of the program's defining achievements.
Since stepping down, Morgan has remained deeply involved in Mitchell basketball. He spent four years as an assistant coach with the Kernels boys team and most recently returned to the girls sideline as an assistant, helping maintain continuity and contributing to the program's recent success. "I am thrilled to welcome Wes back as our head girls basketball coach," Mitchell High School Activities Director Cory Aadland said in a press release.
"His experience, passion for the game, and deep connection to our school and community make him the ideal person to lead our program forward. He has been instrumental in our recent success, and we look forward to the continued success and development of the girls basketball program under his leadership. " With Morgan as an assistant coach, the Kernels have finished fifth at the Class AA state tournament in each of the past two years, including a 15-9 campaign this past season.
Notably, Morgan's daughter, CeCe, was an all-Eastern South Dakota Conference selection for the Kernels this season as an eighth-grader. "I am very excited to return as the head coach of the Kernel girls basketball program," Morgan said in a press release. "We have a great thing going in Mitchell with the Kernels and the Palace City Basketball programs.