North Dakota high school coach arrested, school says he’s been terminated as coach

DICKINSON, N.D. — Terrance Lockett is no longer employed as the head coach of the Dickinson girls’ basketball team, effective immediately, according to Dickinson Public Schools on Wednesday.

“The district took action consistent with its policies and expectations for professional conduct,” Dickinson High School athletic director Guy Fridley said in a statement to the Press.

Allegations that Lockett was arrested on school property were not initially confirmed by the district. On Thursday morning, a spokesperson for DPS told the Press that “he was asked to leave the building” and later confirmed that Lockett had been arrested Tuesday and terminated Wednesday.

Dickinson Police Department said, however, that Lockett was arrested on school property — outside the school — on criminal trespass charges for “refusing to leave.” Lt. Michael Hanel said Thursday morning that a press release would be forthcoming from the department.

As of Thursday morning, Lockett was not listed on the roster of individuals held at the Southwest Multi-County Correction Center.

No clarification was given by Fridley on what sparked the district’s termination, except that “per district policy, we do not comment on specific personnel matters.”

However, Fridley added that “the matter does not involve students.”

Police said they would “concur” with the school district’s statement regarding students.

Press staff reached out to the former coach Wednesday evening, and Lockett responded almost immediately.

“I really enjoyed the girls, it just didn’t work out for me,” Lockett told The Dickinson Press. “[I] love the program and the community.”

The school announced that Reggie Fields will take over as interim head coach for the remainder of the season and that the girls’ basketball program will continue without interruption.

“We put students first, and our focus remains on supporting our student-athletes as they move forward with their season,” Fridley said.

Fields, who has served as an assistant coach this season, will lead the team for its final games. He joined Dickinson after serving as head coach of the Belfield girls’ basketball team last season.

Lockett, who was in the midst of his second season as head coach, finishes his tenure with a 4-36 overall record.

Fridley confirmed that the recent departure of the girls’ wrestling coach was not connected to Lockett’s termination.

Carter is a sports reporter for the Dickinson Press. Born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2025 with a journalism degree.