University of Alaska, Fairbanks Men's Basketball

Frank Ostanik begins his first season back in charge of the Alaska Nanooks men's basketball program in 2024-25, stepping back into the role after holding the position from 2004-07. "Frank brings a wealth of knowledge on and off the court to our men's basketball program," said Brock Anundson, Director of Athletics. "His leadership and coaching experience, along with his relationships throughout the Fairbanks community and state of Alaska, will complement the new chapter of Nanooks men's basketball. We're also excited to welcome back a former Nanook, who will provide incredible dedication to our student-athletes and athletic department goals." Ostanik has spent the previous 16 years at Monroe Catholic in Fairbanks. While there, he assumed the roles of head boys and girls basketball coach, Athletics Director and in 2023 added the title of Director of Schools and President of the Monroe Foundation. As a coach and Athletic Director, he has overseen the fundraising, budgeting, and enrollment for Monroe Catholic while establishing a winning culture for Rams basketball. Over his 13 years as the head coach, he amounted to a 369-85 record leading to four 3A state championship titles and nine conference titles. As the Director of Schools, Ostanik was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Pre K-12th grade system, including employee management, contract and budget management. He worked closely with the board and finance committee, oversaw tuition support, and fundraising opportunities, and established campaigning efforts. During his first stint as the Nanooks head coach, he tallied a 55-32 record, including a 21-9, 13-5 GNAC record in 2004-05, leading Alaska to a share of the GNAC title. That same season he coached them to an appearance in the NCAA Division II West Regional Championship (Sweet 16) before falling to the No. 3-seed Cal Poly Pomona. He is one of three Alaska Nanooks head coaches named GNAC Men's Basketball Coach of the Year, winning the award in 2007 following the 2006-07 season that saw the 'Nooks go 17-13, 8-8 GNAC. Before being named the head coach in 2004, Ostanik spent eight seasons as an assistant coach for Alaska. As an assistant, he worked on recruiting, travel, game prep, and video while seeing the Nanooks claim two NCAA Division II tournament bids and five winning seasons including a first-place finish at the 2002 Top of the World Tournament. With that victory, the Nanooks became the first Division II team in NCAA basketball history to win an eight-team preseason Division I tournament. "It is hard for me to convey my excitement at being named the head men's basketball coach at the University of Alaska." Said Ostanik, "To be the head coach at the best University, in the greatest state in America is an incredible honor. I look forward to growing our program and connecting with our local community, alumni, players, and coaches across Alaska. Having spent the majority of my life in Fairbanks, I know the values - toughness, hard work, and selflessness - that make Fairbanks special and I am confident I can build a program that emulates those qualities. I can't wait to get to work." Ostanik was a member of the Alaska men's basketball team from 1990-92 and in 41 career games averaged 4.6 points, and 2.8 rebounds per game while shooting 54.2% from the floor. He earned a Bachelor of Education from UAF in 1993 and a Masters in Leadership and Coaching from the University of Concordia-Irvine in 2017. Ostanik Career Coaching Record: 64-43 (.598) Record at Alaska: same 2004-05 21-9, 13-5 GNAC 2005-06 17-10, 10-8 GNAC 2006-07 17-13, 8-8 GNAC 2024-25 --

2024-25 is Karlberg's first season with the Nanooks men's basketball program.  “When the idea of my getting this job became a reality, there was one guy I wanted as my assistant, and that was Tobin.” Said Coach Ostanik on Karlberg’s hiring, “I’ve traveled and worked with Tobin in the past and he is as hard as a worker as there is. He is known as a great player, but I can tell you definitively, he is a better human being. Tobin saying yes to joining our coaching staff was akin to signing a McDonald’s All-American to play for us. His connection to Alaska, work ethic, and ability to gain the trust of players will play a key role in our success recruiting high-caliber young men as we move forward.”  Karlberg comes to Fairbanks after a year as the assistant coach at LC State, an NAIA program in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC). In his lone season in that position, he was responsible for on-court instruction, recruiting, travel itinerary, player development, and fundraising. He assisted the Warriors to a 24-9, 19-3 CCC record. After first and second-round victories in the NAIA Tournament, LC State fell to Evangel (Mo.) in the NAIA Sweet 16, ending their season at the NAIA National Tournament. Before joining the Warriors staff, Karlberg finished his playing career with Point Loma Nazarene University after four years and three seasons with the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. In his three years with UAA, Karlberg earned two GNAC All-Conference honors, two GNAC All-Academic honors, and the 2022 UAA team MVP honor. In his one season at PLNU, Karlberg was a PacWest champion, PacWest All-Conference selection, NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team selection and helped lead the Sea Lions to the NCAA DII Sweet 16 at the NCAA DII West Regional.  The Anchorage native also had a storied high school career, winning the 2017 Alaska Boys Basketball State Championship with Grace Christian School. Alongside winning the state championship, he was a 2017-18 3A Basketball Alaska State Player of the Year and the 2018 Alaska State Gatorade Basketball Player of the Year.  “I’m incredibly excited to join Coach Ostanik on the staff at Alaska!” Said Karlberg, “I have a huge belief in his ability to coach and lead young men with a high level of excellence. Being from Alaska, I see this as an awesome opportunity to love and serve people in my home state using the vehicle of basketball!”  Karlberg has also spent years as a camp coach/counselor and player development coach through NBC Camps, Make Yourself LLC, and basketball team camps.  He graduated with his undergraduate degree in Communication from UAA in the spring of 2022 before earning his master’s degree in Sport Management from Point Loma.