MSU Denver Director of Athletics Todd Thurman announced Thursday that he has accepted the resignation of Michael Bahl as the Roadrunners’ men’s basketball head coach.
“We appreciate and thank Michael Bahl for everything he has done at MSU Denver as a player, assistant coach and head coach,” Thurman said. “Michael has demonstrated his love for, and loyalty to, our institution, our athletic department and our men’s basketball program. We wish him well in all his future endeavors, and we will always consider him one of our own.”
In five seasons as a head coach, Bahl compiled a record of 65-64, including 17-12 in 2021-22, his best season yet.
The former Roadrunners star and national leader in 3-point percentage, Bahl joined the program as a player for the 2003-04 season and played on teams that went 110-21 over four seasons, with two appearances in the NCAA Division II national quarterfinals.
He returned to the program as an assistant coach for the 2010-11 season, and during seven years as an assistant, he was a part of teams than went 173-50, including a trip to the national championship game and two more appearances in the national quarterfinals.
With Bahl serving as a player, assistant or head coach, the Roadrunners compiled a record of 348-135, making him a direct part of 43.8 percent of the program’s 795 wins at the Division II level.
“I’ve always loved this program and this university, but I think now is the right time for a new voice for men’s basketball at MSU Denver,” Bahl said. “I cherish my time here and the players and coaches who have been here with me. I’m so proud of what our players have done in the classroom and in the community, and I respect them so much for all the effort they put into playing basketball for MSU Denver. I only wish, for their sake, they could have had more success on the court in terms of wins and losses. Part of life is overcoming adversity and I think our guys have done that.
“I can’t be more grateful for the 16 years that I have spent at MSU Denver both as a student-athlete and as a coach. MSU Denver has helped shape me into the man I am today, and I wouldn’t change my experience for anything in this world. I’m forever in debt to all the players and coaches who have helped move the program in the right direction over these past five years. So, it’s with a very heavy heart that I have decided to step down as the head basketball coach.”
A search committee will be formed to assist in identifying candidates to replace Bahl, and Thurman will make the final decision on the next men’s basketball coach at MSU Denver. Assistant coach Jeremy Johnston will serve as the program’s interim coach.
