Briar Cliff University Men's Basketball

Mark Svagera serves as the head coach of the Briar Cliff men’s basketball program and is entering his ninth season at the helm, beginning in 2017-18. He ranks as the second-winningest coach in program history with a 151-115 record. Svagera has led the Chargers to consistent success, highlighted by a GPAC Regular Season Co-Championship and NAIA National Tournament appearance in 2021–22, when he was named GPAC Coach of the Year. That season, Briar Cliff finished 19–12 overall and 15–5 in conference play while producing five All-GPAC selections and an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American. During his tenure as head coach, Svagera has guided the Chargers to three NAIA National Tournament appearances, including back-to-back quarterfinal finishes in his first two seasons. Before becoming head coach, Svagera spent six seasons as an assistant at Briar Cliff, helping lead the program to four NAIA National Tournament appearances. The Chargers made an Elite Eight run in 2015–16 and posted a school-record 32–4 mark while winning both the GPAC regular season and tournament championships. He also helped guide the program to consecutive GPAC regular season titles during that stretch. Svagera began his coaching career at Dana College before stops at Hastings College and Dickinson State University. He joined the Briar Cliff staff in 2011. A native of Ralston, Nebraska, Svagera was a four-year member of the Dana College basketball program. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Dana College and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Hastings College.

Adam Schumacher was named Assistant Coach in May of 2024. Schumacher joins The Cliff after serving as a graduate assistant at NCAA Division II Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minnesota. The Mustangs posted a 35-25 record during his tenure. Schumacher earned a Master of Science in Physical Education/Coaching of a Sport from Southwest Minnesota State University. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology with a minor in coaching from Gustavus Adolphus College.  

 Evan Laraby joined the Briar Cliff men’s basketball staff as a graduate assistant in the fall of 2025. Laraby brings collegiate coaching experience to the Chargers after serving as the head JV basketball coach and assistant men’s basketball coach at Central College during the 2024–25 season. Prior to that role, he worked as a student coach with both the football and men’s basketball programs, gaining experience in player development, scouting, practice planning, and game preparation. A native of Winter Park, Colorado, Laraby graduated from Middle Park High School in 2020. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education (K–12) from Central College and is currently pursuing his master’s degree at Briar Cliff University.