TicketsCINCINNATI – University of Cincinnati women's basketball's Melissa Kolbe has been promoted from assistant coach to associate head coach. Kolbe joined head coach Michelle Clark-Heard's inaugural UC staff in April of 2018 after spending three seasons on Clark-Heard's staff at Western Kentucky.
This past season, Kolbe was instrumental in the Bearcats' historic run which featured their most wins (24) in 17 years. UC also advanced to the quarterfinals of the postseason Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) – a program first, won 12 or more conference games for the first time since 1999, posted its highest-ever finish in the American Athletic Conference (third place), and had three or more regular-season conference honorees for the first time since 2003.
"When Melissa decided to come to Cincinnati with me a year ago," said Clark-Heard, "I was so thrilled to have a good friend and colleague join me on this amazing journey. Her ability to connect with young women and her investment in their growth both on and off the court makes her one of the best in the business. We are very fortunate to have such a dedicated and hard-working individual both in the program and in the Bearcats community as a whole."
Kolbe boasts nearly two decades of NCAA Division I coaching experience. Prior to her time at WKU, the Cleveland, Ohio native's coaching stints included stops at Mount Saint Mary's (2014-15), Eastern Kentucky (2008-14), ECU (2002-08), Mercer (2001-02), and Valdosta State (1999-2001).
This past season, Kolbe was instrumental in the Bearcats' historic run which featured their most wins (24) in 17 years. UC also advanced to the quarterfinals of the postseason Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) – a program first, won 12 or more conference games for the first time since 1999, posted its highest-ever finish in the American Athletic Conference (third place), and had three or more regular-season conference honorees for the first time since 2003.
"When Melissa decided to come to Cincinnati with me a year ago," said Clark-Heard, "I was so thrilled to have a good friend and colleague join me on this amazing journey. Her ability to connect with young women and her investment in their growth both on and off the court makes her one of the best in the business. We are very fortunate to have such a dedicated and hard-working individual both in the program and in the Bearcats community as a whole."
Kolbe boasts nearly two decades of NCAA Division I coaching experience. Prior to her time at WKU, the Cleveland, Ohio native's coaching stints included stops at Mount Saint Mary's (2014-15), Eastern Kentucky (2008-14), ECU (2002-08), Mercer (2001-02), and Valdosta State (1999-2001).