The University of Wisconsin-Superior and Yellowjacket Athletics have announced that head women’s basketball coach Zach Otto-Fisherhas resigned. Otto-Fisher, who recently completed his fifth season at the helm of the Yellowjackets, is stepping down from his position, citing personal reasons.
“It has been an incredible time over the past six years, and I’m blessed to have been able to spend that time at my alma mater. UW-Superior is a special place to me, and I have enjoyed being able to build relationships with our staff, faculty, coaches and most importantly, our student-athletes. The student-athletes are the pride and joy of this campus, and the work we do as coaches. I will cherish the moments we’ve been able to share, both on and off the court,” Otto-Fisher said. “At this time, I need to step away from education and coaching and get back to my family and my faith. It was an extremely tough decision, but one that is best for my family.”
Otto-Fisher came to UW-Superior in 2016 and spent one season as an assistant coach under Dr. Don Mulhern. In that one season, the Yellowjackets went 23-5, won the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference regular season and playoff championships and qualified for the NCAA tournament. When Mulhern resigned in 2017, Otto-Fisher was named interim head coach and the transition was seamless. The Yellowjackets again went 23-5, won both the UMAC regular season and tournament championships and advanced to the NCAA tournament. Later that year, the interim tag was removed, and Otto-Fisher was named the program’s seventh head coach.
In five seasons, Otto-Fisher guided the Yellowjackets to an overall record of 75-42 overall and a 51-17 mark in UMAC play. His teams won two UMAC regular season title and one UMAC tournament title. He coached 10 All-UMAC honorees, including two UMAC Players of the Year – Hailey Kontny in 2018 and Hannah Norlin in 2019. Otto-Fisher was twice named UMAC Coach of the Year.
“I will always be a Yellowjacket and look forward to supporting the program, department and university in a different role,” Otto-Fisher said. “Finally, I want to personally thank Athletics Director Nick Bursik, Chancellor Renee Wacther, and Provost Maria Cuzzo for giving me the opportunities I have had here at UW-Superior.”
“I want to thank Zach for his commitment and dedication to our women’s basketball program and our student-athletes,” said Director of Athletics Nick Bursik. “During his tenure, the program had many accomplishments that can be attributed to his leadership. We wish Zach and his family the best in their future endeavors.”
A national search for Otto-Fisher’s replacement will begin immediately.
