Wisconsin-Green Bay found a familiar face to fill its women's basketball coaching vacancy Wednesday as Kevin Borseth resigned from Michigan to return to the program he led for nine seasons.
The school announced that Borseth will be formally introduced in a news conference in Green Bay on Thursday. He will replace Matt Bollant, who recently left for Illinois.
It's a surprising return for Borseth, who spent the past five seasons as the head coach at Michigan after leaving Green Bay. Borseth coached the Phoenix from 1998-2007 and led them to the postseason all nine seasons, including seven trips to the NCAA tournament. Borseth was 216-62 in his previous stint at Green Bay.
''My family and I are so thrilled to return to Green Bay and to the many friends and fans in the community,'' Borseth said in a statement. ''I am really excited to get to know the current players on the team and to continue to move Green Bay women's basketball forward.''
Green Bay continued to build its presence as a mid-major power in women's basketball under Bollant.
The Phoenix will return four starters next season from a 31-2 team that won the Horizon League regular season and tournament titles and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
''This is an exciting time for our University, our women's basketball program and Green Bay Phoenix athletics,'' athletic director Ken Bothof said in a statement. ''Having the chance to welcome Kevin and his family back to Green Bay is a great privilege, and I know I speak for so many fans when saying I am thrilled to know that this program will be under his leadership moving forward.''
Borseth led the Wolverines the NCAA tournament this year - the program's first appearance there since 2001.
''Kevin felt it was best for him and his family to return to Green Bay,'' Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said. ''We appreciate all that Kevin has done for the Michigan women's basketball program over the past five years, and we wish the Borseth family the best of everything as they move back home to Green Bay.''
Michigan said a national search for its next women's basketball coach will begin immediately.
