Butler’s search for a new women’s basketball coach ended where it began. Vice President and Director of Athletics Barry Collier announced on Tuesday (May 6) that interim head coach Kurt Godlevske would become the permanent head coach for the Bulldogs.
"We are pleased and excited to announce that Kurt Godlevske will continue to lead our women’s basketball team," said Collier. "Kurt is committed to the Butler Way and the personal development of our student-athletes. He is experienced, dedicated and has a proven record of coaching success, and we are confident that he will guide our program to new levels of excellence in the BIG EAST."
Collier named Godlevske interim head coach of the Butler women’s team on April 23, replacing former head coach Beth Couture. It took less than two weeks to remove the "interim" tag.
"I would like to open by saying thank you to President James Danko and Athletic Director Barry Collier for the opportunity, and for entrusting with me a wonderful program, at a terrific University," Godlevske said. "My family and I are excited to be a part of such a strong community of learners and we look forward to modeling the Butler Way."
"I would also like to thank all the alumni who have reached out in the past few weeks," Godlevske added. "The foundation for what we will build on is solid because of you, and we will continue to strive for excellence. We have a wonderful group of skilled young ladies already in place, and we will work hard everyday to get better in the classroom, and on the floor."
Godlevske joined Butler’s staff as an assistant coach in the spring of 2013, after spending seven years as girls’ head coach at Bedford North Lawrence High School. He guided the Lady Stars to a 120-41 record, including a perfect 28-0 mark and the IHSAA Class 4A Girls’ Basketball State Championship in 2013.
He also was part of an Indiana boys’ state championship staff as a volunteer coach at Lawrence North High School in 2004.
An all-state high school player in L’Anse, Mich., Godlevske played basketball at Northern Michigan University, and then started his collegiate coaching career at NCAA Division II Lake Superior State University, where he posted a 35-19 record in two years. After a few years out of coaching, he returned as head coach of his alma mater in L’Anse, leading the school to a 40-9 record in two seasons before taking over at Bedford North Lawrence.
Godlevske earned his degree in physical education and health from Northern Michigan University in 1994. He earned a master’s degree from University of Indianapolis in 2004 and a principal’s license from Oakland City in 2008.
