Missouri HS girls basketball coach eyes return to coaching after surviving health scare
Incarnate Word Academy coach Dan Rolfes nearly lost his life to a cardiac attack nine months ago. He had collapsed in the parking lot at the Mizzou Arena. But he's ready for an emotional return to the court. As reported by On3, Rolfes will lead the Red Knights against Father Tolton in the 2024-25 Missouri girls' basketball season on Tuesday.
After Incarnate Word Academy topped Rock Bridge in the Class 6 semifinal on March 15 at the University of Missouri, Rolfes collapsed in the parking lot. Earlier, he had told his wife, Lisa, that he wasn't feeling well. She jumped into action.
Being a professional nurse, she administered CPR for 90 minutes and put 27 shocks with an automated external defibrillator. Rolfes survived; however, the extensive CPR damaged his lungs and liver. He was put in intensive care for about a month. He spent 18 days in the university's ICU and 10 days at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
In May, in an Incarnate Word Academy press release, Dan Rolfes expressed his desire to get back to coaching.
“I am going to coach. I’m going to try. The doctors gave me the OK," he said. "Basketball is a huge part of my life. And coaching, it’s not a job to me. It’s what I love to do."
The Red Knights are ranked first in Missouri and 26th nationally. The school has won 14 state titles, including 13 under Rolfes' mentorship. He led the school to 131 wins in a row and boasts a career record of 702-86.
The Red Knights win and take home the state basketball title
The Incarnate Word Academy's Red Knights bought the trophy home and won the Claa 6 state basketball title a day after their coach, Dan Rolfes, suffered a cardiac arrest. The Red Knights beat Kickapoo 53-43. The girls dedicated their championship victory to Rolfes with the slogan, "Win for Dan."
The high school girls basketball team missed its coach, and vigils were held for his recovery. Dan Rolfes' father, grandfather and uncle had all died of heart attacks.