Hillsdale College head women’s basketball coach Matt Fritsche announced today that he is stepping down from the position after three seasons with the Chargers.
Fritsche is parting ways with Hillsdale to return to his home state of Nebraska, where he’s set to take on a new challenge as an administrator and athletic director at Grand Island Northwest High School.
A search for a new head coach for the women’s basketball program is underway.
“It’s been an unbelievable honor to work with the women in this basketball program for the past three seasons, and to represent Hillsdale College, an institution with an amazing tradition and commitment to high standards of character and excellence,” Fritsche said. “I got to meet some of the best people on the planet and work with them every day, doing something we loved, and that’s a special opportunity that I never took for granted.”
“I’ve got so many great memories of my time here, and I’m going to miss everything about being a part of this program, but this decision is one that I made with my family, and I think it’s the best decision for them and for me.”
Fritsche was named the head coach at Hillsdale College prior to the 2017-18 season, coming to the Chargers after four years as an assistant coach at Creighton University.
In a short time with the Chargers, Fritsche led the program to several notable accomplishments, including a 2017-18 Great Midwest Athletic Conference tournament championship and the program’s fifth NCAA Division II National Tournament appearance that same year.
During his tenure at Hillsdale, Fritsche helped oversee a fresh start for the program in its transition from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference to the G-MAC, guiding the Chargers to G-MAC Tournament appearances in two of his three seasons in charge.
He also developed strong individual talent in the program, as four players he coached are among the 17 Hillsdale College women’s basketball players to surpass the 1,000 point milestone for their careers: 2018-19 All-G-MAC first teamers Allie DeWire and Brittany Gray, as well as Makenna Ott and Allie Dittmer.
Fritsche leaves Hillsdale having posted a 42-45 overall record, including a 31-31 mark in conference contests. He’s one of just three coaches in the program’s 39 year history, along with Claudette Charney and Phyllis Cupp, to lead the Chargers to an NCAA or NAIA Tournament appearance during his tenure.
https://hillsdalechargers.com/sports/wbkb/2019-20/releases/20200501oryasg
