CROSBY, Minn (KWAD) — One of Minnesota’s most accomplished and respected basketball coaches has called it a career.

Dave Galovich, head coach of the Crosby-Ironton boys’ basketball team, officially retired after 47 seasons and a remarkable 824 career wins, making him the fourth-winningest coach in Minnesota boys’ basketball history.

Galovich spent 40 of those seasons at Crosby-Ironton, where he transformed the Rangers into a perennial contender. Under his leadership, C-I reached the state tournament nine times and made it to the championship game four times, finishing as Class 2A runner-up in 1996, 1997, 2007, and 2010. His teams won 20 or more games in 22 different seasons.

Before coming to Crosby-Ironton, Galovich coached for seven years at Nashwauk-Keewatin and Staples, compiling a 102-53 record. Once at C-I, he quickly built the program into a powerhouse, amassing a 722-267 record with the Rangers. His teams were known for their discipline, strong defense, and relentless preparation.

Galovich’s coaching excellence earned him induction into the Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2012, and in 2016, Crosby-Ironton named its gymnasium in his honor.

He made his retirement official in a handwritten letter to the school district, stating, “I’m so thankful for the opportunity to do what I love for so many years.” He also expressed gratitude for the players, assistant coaches, families, and community members who supported the program over the decades.

Galovich’s impact reaches beyond wins and losses. Former players and fellow coaches have praised his mentorship, high standards, and class on and off the court. Even longtime rival coaches, like Pequot Lakes’ Mike Dombeck, described competing against him as “an honor.”

Though stepping away from coaching, Galovich isn’t ruling out staying involved in basketball in some capacity. For now, he and his wife Pam plan to relocate to the Twin Cities area to be closer to family.