Todd Schlimgen, head women’s basketball coach at Mount Marty University (MMU), announced his resignation after his fourth season in the role. He will continue his 13-year career at the university as women’s golf coach and begin a new role as the director of Career Services and student support advisor. Schlimgen will oversee the women’s basketball program until a new coach is hired.
“We are grateful for Todd’s leadership and his dedication to athletics at Mount Marty. The legacy of the Schlimgens has played a significant role in how we have grown our programs, and we are happy to see Todd continue as coach for women’s golf,” said Andy Bernatow, interim athletic director for Mount Marty University.
“I am very thankful for the time and investment Todd has put into the women’s basketball program. Todd genuinely cares for this university and his leadership has been instrumental in academic and on-court success. I am excited for his new responsibilities as the director of Career Services and student support advisor,” he said. “Todd’s caring personality makes him a great fit for this new opportunity. Until a new coach is in place, Todd will stay on and continue to oversee the daily operations of the women’s basketball program allowing for a quality transition as we set our sights on preparing for the 2022-23 season and the future of women’s basketball.”
Todd Schlimgen joined the MMU women’s basketball staff under his father, Tom Schlimgen. In his first decade with the team, Todd coached five NAIA All Americans, 21 All GPAC Performers, 31 Daktronics Scholar-Athletes, six postseason appearances with two national tournament appearances. In 2016, the Lancer women’s basketball team reached the Fab Four while finishing fifth in the final poll of the season, the highest ranking in the program’s history. While on the staff, MMU placed in the top 10 in the nation for GPA seven times while having the top spot three different times. In 2018-19, Todd took over as the head coach for women’s basketball. During his four years as head coach, Mount Marty has had 27 Pflieger-Olson Award winners, seven All-Conference performers, and 19 NAIA Scholar-Athletes.
“I am so fortunate I was able to do a job I loved, at a place I loved, with people I loved for the past 13 years. To be able to share over nine of those years with my father was an incredible blessing that neither of us will ever forget. To have played a small part in, and observe, the maturation process of numerous student-athletes over the years has been one of the best parts of this job,” Schlimgen said. “The game of basketball presents many teaching opportunities both on and off the court which is what I will miss the most.”
Along with his successful career at MMU, Schlimgen’s prior experience as an educator and coach for Sisseton, Colman-Egan and Harrisburg high schools makes him well suited for his new role. Schlimgen will develop job leads and employer relations, assist students in career placement, communicate with employers, alumni and previous graduates and build relationships with faculty and staff to ensure proper student placement in future careers, internships, and externships.
“To be able to help provide career opportunities for our students to get real-world experience is something I am excited about doing. Making a positive impact through the core values of Mount Marty is something I strive to do and I appreciate the opportunity provided to me in this position to do that,” he said.
