Katie Kollar has announced that she will not return as the head women’s basketball coach at Macalester College. Kollar spent six seasons as the Scots’ head coach, guiding the team to its best season in 13 years this past winter.
“I’m incredibly grateful to Coach Katie Kollar for her outstanding leadership of our women’s basketball program” Macalester Director of Athletics Donnie Brooks said. “Under her guidance, Macalester emerged as a formidable opponent and fierce competitor in the MIAC. Katie brought stability that allowed us to grow our roster and establish a strong, resilient team culture. Her sharp eye for talent and relentless recruiting efforts have laid a foundation we’re proud of and one that positions us for continued success.”
Kollar steadily built the program into a competitive team in the MIAC. In her third year at Macalester in 2021-22, Kollar led the Scots to their most conference wins since the 2011-12 season. That improvement coincided with the recruitment and arrival of Peyton Starks ’25 and Katherine Norquist ’25, who both would earn All-MIAC accolades in their careers. Starks ended up leading the conference in scoring three straight years, the first MIAC women’s basketball player to accomplish the feat on record, and became the first Scot to be chosen the MIAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2024-25. Macalester went 12-13 overall this past year, compiling the most victories in a season since the 2011-12 team also finished 12-13.
Kollar also contributed to Macalester Athletics as chair of the department’s diversity, equity and inclusion committee. She also was selected to coach at the 2023 NCAA College Basketball Academy.
“I’d like to thank Macalester College, the Athletics Department, and the entire Mac community for the opportunity you all gave me over the last six years,” Kollar said. “I’m incredibly grateful to have worked and served alongside you all and I am proud of everything we have accomplished as a program. It is bittersweet to be leaving, but I know the women’s basketball program is in a great place and I am truly excited to see its continued growth and success. Team 47 and beyond – love y’all and stay relentless!”
A native of Johnstown, N.Y., Kollar graduated from Nazareth College in 2012 with a degree in business administration. She earned her Master of Education degree in athletic administration from Springfield College in 2015. Kollar began her coaching career at Averett University before serving as an assistant at Springfield for two seasons. She then spent four seasons as the head coach at SUNY-Cobleskill before coming to Macalester in 2019.
A national search for Macalester’s next women’s basketball will begin immediately.
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