After a national search, University of St. Thomas Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Phil Esten announced that Mandy Pearson will serve as the next head coach of the women’s basketball program. Pearson will be the fifth coach in program history.
“I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Mandy to St. Paul and the University of St. Thomas,” said Esten. “Throughout the process, Mandy not only demonstrated she was the best coach for this job, but the best person as well. Mandy is a proven winner, and her dedication not only to excellence on the court, but in human development as well, made her the obvious choice to lead Tommie women’s basketball. Her proven success in developing championship-caliber teams and fostering a strong culture aligns with the department’s commitment to competing at the highest level while prioritizing the holistic growth of its student-athletes. With experience building and sustaining winning programs, Pearson is well-positioned to lead the Tommies into their next phase of success at the Division I level. As a community, we are excited for this next chapter in St. Thomas basketball history as we continue to build on the foundation set by our proud past.”
I am incredibly grateful to be named the head women’s basketball coach at the University of St. Thomas,” commented Pearson. “I sincerely appreciate Athletics Director Phil Esten and Deputy Athletic Director Julie Manning’s professionalism during this process. I am very excited to begin working with [Esten and Maning]. Their vision for St. Thomas women’s basketball on and off the basketball court is incredibly exciting and effortlessly aligns with my own. I cannot wait to begin getting to know our student-athletes and the St. Thomas community.”
THE PEARSON FILE
- 2022-23 NCAA Division II National runner-up
- 2025-26 NCAA Elite Eight appearance
- Six-time NCAA Division II Tournament participant (2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2025-26)
- Four-time NSIC Tournament champion (2018-19, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23)
- Three-time NSIC regular-season champion (2019-20, 2021-22, 2022-23)
- 2019-20 NSIC Coach of the Year
- Fastest coach in UMD history to reach 100 wins
- Coached 21 All-NSIC selections entering the 2025-26 season, including three-time WBCA All-American, D2CCA All-American and 2023 NCAA Division II Honda Athlete of the Year Brooke Olson
- Former head coach at Saint Mary’s University (Minn.) from 2007-15
- Helped the Cardinals to their best record (24-4) and first ever national top-25 ranking in program history in 2013-14
- Coached d3hoops.com All-American and MIAC Player of the Year Courtney Eurele
- Produced two All-NCAA III West Region Team members, nine All-MIAC selections, seven All-Conference Honorable Mentions, four All-MIAC Defensive Team selections and four MIAC All-First Year picks
- Two-time MIAC Coach of the Year (2012-13, 2013-14)
- Multi-sport student-athlete at Concordia College (Minn.)
- Four-time All-MIAC selection in basketball and softball
- 2005 First Team All-American
THE MANDY PEARSON FILE
Pearson joins the Tommies after 11 seasons as head coach at Minnesota Duluth, leading the Bulldogs to sustained success in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Under her leadership, UMD reached five NSIC Tournament Championship games, capturing four titles (2019, 2021, 2022, 2023), while also securing three consecutive NSIC North Division championships from 2020-22.
Pearson guided the Bulldogs to one of the most successful seasons in program history in 2022-23, finishing 32-4 and advancing to the NCAA Division II National Championship game for the first time. She also oversaw the development of numerous standout players, including multiple All-NSIC selections and national award winners.
Known for her emphasis on defensive efficiency and ball control, Pearson has consistently positioned UMD among the top defensive teams in Division II, including national rankings in scoring defense during her tenure.
Prior to her time at UMD, Pearson spent nine seasons as the head coach at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, where she revitalized the program and earned back-to-back MIAC Coach of the Year honors. During her tenure, Pearson helped the Cardinals set a program record in single-season wins (24) and led the team to their first top-25 ranking in program history. She coached multiple All-Conference, All-Region and All-America selections throughout her career, including MIAC Player of the Year Courtney Eurle.
She also served as an assistant coach at Hamline University following an accomplished playing career at Concordia College (Minn.), where she was a First Team All-American and three-time All-MIAC selection with Cobber basketball. Pearson also earned All-Conference honors in softball.
A Minnesota native, Pearson holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Concordia and a master’s degree in human development from Saint Mary’s University.
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