The Bulldogs are welcoming Ryan Carpenter and Cici Kieger to the women’s basketball coaching staff for the 2022-23 season.
Carpenter is coming to Minnesota Duluth from the University of Jamestown.
“I am really excited for this amazing opportunity at UMD. Coach Pearson has had a lot of success in the NSIC and I look forward to learning from her and growing as a coach.”
Carpenter has 13 years of experience coaching at the high school and collegiate level. At Jamestown his team had a conference record of 18-13 and had four all conference selections. In his three years at Mayo High School they went 55-18 and had back-to-back appearances in the Sweet sixteen at the state tournament. In 2021 they were undefeated and regular season conference champions. At Mayo, he assisted in sending four student-athletes to play at the collegiate level. In addition they had two All-State selections, 12 All-Conference selections, and three Academic All-State selections.
“I am super excited with the addition of Ryan and Cici to our women’s basketball coaching staff,” said head women’s basketball coach Mandy Pearson. “Ryan brings years of experience coaching at the high school and college level, has amazing energy and passion for the game as well as coaching young people. I am excited to learn more about Cici’s perspective after spending her time as a player and an assistant coach in the NSIC. Her energy is super contagious and it is evident that she also has a ton of passion for the game of basketball. I am excited for new ideas and experiences to help our players and team get to the next level with the addition of Cici and Ryan.”
Cici Kieger comes to UMD from St. Cloud State. Kieger played at Northern Iowa Community College for the 2017-18 season then transferred to St. Cloud State where she played from 2018 to 2020. After her time playing for the Huskies she was named assistant coach in the 2021-22 season. She was also the head coach for the AAU North Tartan for four years.
“I am incredibly excited to be joining Bulldog Country,” said Kieger. “It’s a true honor to learn from Coach Pearson and work with such a talented group of athletes. The whole staff is eager to get our players back on campus and back in the gym.”
