By: Andrew Gavin (@GBGavin)
GreenBayPhoenix.com
GREEN BAY, Wis.
(GreenBayPhoenix.com) - Matt Bollant has stepped down as the
head coach of the Green Bay women's basketball program to accept the same
position at the University of Illinois. Bollant was introduced at a news conference
at Illinois on Wednesday morning.
"We wish Matt the best of luck as he moves on to this
new challenge at Illinois," said Green Bay Director of Athletics Ken Bothof. "Over the course of the
past five seasons, Matt guided this program to impressive heights. It is a
compliment to him, the staff and our players and a testament to our success
that he was sought after and offered this opportunity. Chancellor Harden, our
athletics staff and I thank Matt for his commitment to carrying on the winning
tradition of this program on and off the court."
In five seasons with Bollant at the helm of the
program, Green Bay accumulated a record of 148-19 overall and 85-5 in Horizon
League play while advancing to four NCAA Tournaments. This past season, the
Phoenix posted a record of 31-2, won the Horizon League regular season and
conference championships and won an NCAA Tournament game for the third
consecutive season. Bollant is a four-time Horizon League Coach of the Year and
the recipient of the 2011 Kay Yow National Coach of the Year award.
In the storied 39-year history of the program, Green
Bay has won 14 consecutive Horizon League Championships, made 13 appearances in
the NCAA Tournament and posted 35-straight winning seasons.
"We are committed to finding the best possible coach
to continue the program's strong history of success and keep Green Bay
competing at a high level for Horizon League championships and NCAA Tournament
appearances," said Bothof.
A national search for Green Bay's next women's
basketball coach will begin immediately. The athletics department will have no
further comment at this time.
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