The Mad Ants are in the process of hiring veteran minor league coach Duane Ticknor as their new head coach, according to sources.
Ticknor, 57, would succeed interim coach Steve Gansey as the team's coach. Details of a contract are still being worked out. Gansey has been offered a chance to stay with the team as an assistant, but hasn't reached a decision yet.
Ticknor coached overseas last season, but had a successful two-year run with the NBA D-League's Dakota Wizards in 2007-08 and 2008-09. He led the Wizards to one division title and postseason appearances in both seasons. He spent the following two seasons as an assistant coach with the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Among the other stops in Ticknor's career: seven years with the International Basketball Association (including a league title and four coach of the year awards), four years as coach of the CBA's Gary Steelheads and four years as an assistant with the Rapid City Thrillers.
Gansey, 26, took over for the fired Joey Meyer after 15 games last season and compiled a 9-26 record, with the Ants' overall record of 14-36 being their worst mark in their five-year franchise history.
