Kayla Karius has been named the fourth head coach of Green Bay’s storied women’s basketball program. Karius, formally Kayla Tetschlag, played at Green Bay from 2007-11. An introductory press conference will be held in the Kress Events Center on Thursday, April 25 at 10 a.m. and will be open to the public.
“I’m thrilled to be returning to my Alma mater and honored to be only the fourth head coach of Green Bay Women’s Basketball,” Karius remarked. “This is the premier women’s basketball program in our state and is located in one of the most innovative and booming communities. I look forward to carrying on a strong tradition of championships on the court and excellence in the classroom. Thank you to Chancellor Alexander, Athletics Director Josh Moon, and Parker search firm for entrusting me to lead this storied program. Go Phoenix!”
The Sheboygan, Wis., native comes to the Phoenix after two seasons at the University of South Dakota where she led the Coyotes to back-to-back winning seasons in the Summit League, including a 23-13 record last season that ended with a pair of wins in the WNIT.
A key recruiter in the Midwest, Karius has served as the recruiting coordinator at all four stops in her coaching career – Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Drake. Her recruiting classes at South Dakota included 2022 Summit League Player of the Year Chloe Lamb, three-time Defensive Player of the Year Hannah Sjerven, two-time all-league pick Liv Korngable, Monica Arens, Claudia Kunzer, Regan Sankey, and Allison Peplowski.
Before her second stint at South Dakota, Karius spent three seasons at Wisconsin and one at Drake. The Bulldogs won 20 games and reached the WNIT’s round of 16. Karius worked with first-team all-Missouri Valley picks Grace Berg and Megan Meyer.
Karius graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a marketing emphasis. Karius, a standout as a player on the Phoenix basketball team, was the 2011 Horizon League Player of the Year. She led Green Bay to four Horizon League titles, three NCAA Tournaments, and the NCAA Sweet 16 her senior year. She received the Horizon League Cecil N. Colman Medal of Honor at the conclusion of her playing career. In the summer of 2023, Karius was inducted into the Green Bay Athletics Hall of Fame and is one of 37 Phoenix players in the 1,000-point club.
Kayla Karius’ Timeline
· 2022-2024, Head Coach – South Dakota
· 2021-2022, Assistant Coach – Drake
· 2020-2021, Associate Head Coach – Wisconsin
· 2018-2020, Assistant Coach – Wisconsin
· 2016-2018, Assistant Coach – South Dakota
· 2015-2016, Assistant Coach – Sioux Falls
· 2011-2015, Professional Athlete – Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany
· 2007-2011, Student-Athlete – Green Bay Phoenix
