Meet the New Bulldog Coaches

by Matthew Goedeken

Matthew Beisel, track and cross country coach 

Coach Matthew Beisel is the new coach for the track and cross country teams at Concordia. Beisel attended Concordia and received his Bachelor of Science in Education in 1992 while participating in track and cross-country. He later received his Masters in Science Education at the University of Iowa. In 2000, Beisel formed the first track and cross-country teams at Lutheran High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he coached the teams to multiple state titles. Previously, Beisel worked as the head coach at Valley Lutheran High School in Phoenix, Arizona, and made the decision to move to Concordia to continue his coaching career here.

“It became apparent to us that Christ is still the number one focus here which was absolutely important to me,” Beisel said. “I would not have considered this if it had been otherwise.”

Committed to the program already, Beisel spent over 70 hours on the phone this summer contacting all of his new athletes. Beisel will meet with his athletes to help them set personal goals. His intention is to develop a Christ-focused environment where team is more important than self.

“When you operate in this manner and do it well, the worldly success follows as a natural outcome,” Beisel said.

Through the help of his assistants and strength coach Todd Berner, Beisel hopes to focus on long-term development of the program.

Miranda Maser, dance and cheer coach 

Coach Miranda Maser is the new dance and cheer coach at Concordia. Maser hails from Big Springs, Nebraska, and graduated from University of Nebraska—Lincoln with a Bachelors in Fine and Performing Arts. Maser was previously an executive assistant for the Director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and is an independent contract choreographer and dance instructor for dance studios, high school cheer and dance teams as well as the TADA theatre in Lincoln.

Maser says she was interested in becoming a collegiate coach and being a part of a system that has such a great mission and core values. She plans to include stunting to the cheer squad this year and has her eyes set on winning competitions.

Tae’lor Purdy-Korell, assistant women’s basketball coach 

Tae’lor Purdy-Korell is the new assistant women’s basketball coach this year after working last year as a graduate assistant for women’s basketball. Originally from Agate, Colorado, Purdy-Korell received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish as well as a Masters in health care administration from Regis University in Denver, Colorado. After playing collegiate basketball for Regis, she played professionally for a team in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Purdy-Korell is married to assistant men’s basketball coach Lance Korell and is eager to work in a Christ-centered environment.

“The faculty and staff at Concordia are all exceptional men and women,” Purdy-Korell said. “It has been great getting to connect with each one of them.”

Bryce Berg, assistant baseball coach 

Coach Bryce Berg, last year’s baseball graduate assistant, is the new assistant coach for the baseball team. Berg has worked for many schools before Concordia, including as an assistant coach at Kuemper Catholic High School in Carroll, Iowa. Berg attended Iowa Central Community College and Augustana College in Sioux Falls and played baseball at both. Berg will be coaching his younger brother, senior Casey Berg, this year.