Chippewa Valley Times

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Head Men's Basketball Coach Zach Malvik has finalized his coaching staff with the additions of Adam Smith and Nate Peterson as assistant coaches.

Malvik, entering his first season at the helm of the Blugolds, has recruited coaches from prominent college basketball programs. Peterson joins UW-Eau Claire from the University of Colorado, while Smith transitions from the University of Wisconsin.

"I'm really excited to be adding both Coach Smith and Coach Peterson to our staff," Malvik said. "Both of these guys bring important qualities that I was looking for in assistant coaches when putting this staff together. They are great at building relationships and they really care about the development of our student-athletes both on and off the court."

Smith arrives at UW-Eau Claire after three seasons with the University of Wisconsin. He served as a graduate assistant with the Badgers from 2021-2023 before taking on the role of Video and Operations Analyst during the 2023-24 season. His tenure included participation in Wisconsin's 2022 Big Ten Conference regular season championship and NCAA Tournament appearances in 2022 and 2024.

Prior to his time with the Badgers, Smith spent a year as a student assistant at the University of Minnesota Duluth. The Kaukauna, Wisconsin native played for Minnesota Duluth from 2017-20 before transitioning into an assistant role for the 2020-21 season. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Minnesota Duluth (2021) and a Master of Science degree from Wisconsin.

"I'm thrilled to join Coach Malvik's staff at UW-Eau Claire and to have the opportunity to contribute to such a storied basketball program," Smith said. "I'm especially excited for the new challenges that lie ahead in the coming months, and to work closely with all of those involved in Blugold Basketball in the past, present, and future."

"Coach Smith is someone who I have followed for a long time," Malvik added. "From his playing career at Kaukauna High School, winning a state championship and then playing for a successful program at Minnesota Duluth, he is a winner! He was tough as nails as a player and is consistent every day in all aspects."

Peterson served as a graduate assistant at Colorado for two seasons (2022-24), contributing to a coaching staff that led the Buffaloes to a school-record 26 wins in 2023-24, culminating in an NCAA Tournament run to the round of 32.

Before joining Colorado, Peterson was a student assistant at Lewis & Clark College — his alma mater — from 2018-22. The Richmond, California native graduated from Lewis & Clark with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (2022) and earned a Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership from Colorado (2024).

"I am extremely excited to join Coach Malvik's staff here in Eau Claire and be part of the Blugold community," Peterson said. "Working at an institution like UWEC for such an established basketball program makes this my dream job."

"Coach Peterson comes from a successful Division I program at Colorado as well as having Division III experience from Lewis & Clark College," Malvik noted. "He is driven with great work ethic which will add significant value to our program."

The Blugolds are set to begin their historic 2023-24 season this November, debuting at the new Sonnentag Event Center.