As initially reported by Scott Venci of the Green Bay Press Gazette, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay has officially named Kayla Karius (formerly Tetschlag) as the 4th head coach in program history.
Karius was a star at Sheboygan North High School before playing for Green Bay from 2007-2011 under former coach Matt Bollant, and made the NCAA Tournament three times, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2011. In her Green Bay Phoenix Hall of Fame career, Karius, then Tetschlag, was named the 2011 Horizon League Player of the Year. She was also also a two-time First Team All-Horizon League player and a Sixth Player of the Year in 2009. She would go on to play overseas for several seasons before returning back to the US to join the coaching ranks.
Her first assistant coaching gig, landed her in Sioux Falls from 2015-16. From there she would go onto her first stint with the University of South Dakota as an assistant coach from 2016-2018. Karius would come back home to Wisconsin to join the Badgers coaching staff as an assistant coach from 2018-2020 before being promoted to associate head coach for 2020-21. She made a brief stop at Drake, before becoming the head coach at the University of South Dakota. In her two seasons as head coach at South Dakota, she led the Coyotes to back to back winning seasons in the Summit League and WNIT appearance this past season.
In the University’s press release, Karius was quoted saying, “This is the premier women’s basketball program in our state and is located in one of the most innovative and booming communities. I look forward to carrying on a strong tradition of championships on the court and excellence in the classroom. Thank you to Chancellor Alexander, Athletics Director Josh Moon, and Parker search firm for entrusting me to lead this storied program. Go Phoenix!”
Former head coach Kevin Borseth, who Karius is replacing, was involved in the search as well, and per the press release said: “How exciting to bring Kayla back home. Her coaching experience coupled with her familiarity and love for our program are going to serve her well at Green Bay. I’m excited about the future of Green Bay Women’s Basketball.”
Karius will be introduced at a press conference at 10:00am CT on Thursday, April 25th from the Kress Center.
