University of Wisconsin-La Crosse head men’s basketball coach Ken Koelbl has announced his resignation to pursue a full-time position in the UW-La Crosse Admissions Office.  He completed his 14th season as the Eagles’ head coach in 2016-17.

The university will put an interim coach in place for the 2017-18 season and conduct a national search for a full-time coach at the conclusion of the season.

“I understand the timing is not right for this position, but it was right for me,” said Koelbl, who has worked in the UW-La Crosse Admission Office since 2003.  “I’ve really enjoyed my time coaching basketball at UW-La Crosse.  This is a great university with a fantastic athletic program.  The relationships built and the friendships formed are irreplaceable.

“We have had amazing student-athletes and I have been blessed with outstanding assistant coaches, added Koelbl.  “The athletics staff has been second to none and our community members make UW-La Crosse and La Crosse a great place to be.  I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue being part of UW-La Crosse.”

Koelbl led UW-La Crosse to nine overall winning seasons in the last 12 years.  The Eagles advanced to the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Tournament Semifinals six times (2006, 2007, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017) under Koelbl, including three of the last four seasons.

He was named the 2015-16 WIAC Coach of the Year after leading UW-La Crosse to its 12th regular-season conference title in school history and first since 1965.  The Eagles finished 16-10 overall and 10-4 in the WIAC in 2015-16.

“We have worked extremely hard to make UW-La Crosse basketball a highly competitive program along with a special place to continue an athletic career,” said Koelbl.  “I am proud of what has been accomplished.  There are always things you would change, but I have no regrets.  I believe in leaving something better than when you got it.  We have done that.  This program is in a good position with some very talented student-athletes who are hungry to accomplish more.”

A total of 30 All-WIAC selections were earned under Koelbl, including 15 first team choices.  Joe Werner (2006-07), Tony Mane (2010-11) and Jared Staege (2015-16) were named the WIAC Player of the Year under Koelbl.  Four players were selected to the 2015-16 All-WIAC Team, including Staege, Devin Yurk, Austin Fritz and Ben Meinholz.  It marked the second time (1977-78) in school history four players earned all-conference honors in the same season.

Koelbl compiled an overall record of 201-161 (.555) and 105-113 (.482) in the WIAC at UW-La Crosse. He earned his 200th career win in the Eagles’ 77-52 home victory over UW-Stout February 15, 2017. Koelbl picked up his 100th career victory with a 82-73 win over UW-Platteville December 11, 2010 and his 100th career conference win with a 55-53 victory over UW-Stevens Point February 20, 2016.

He ranks second in school history in victories (201). Burt McDonald is the all-time leader (263).

The Eagles were 123-87 (.586) overall and 67-57 (.540) in the WIAC the last eight seasons under Koelbl, winning at least 10 league games in three of the last five years. UW-La Crosse went 19-8 overall and 12-4 in the WIAC in 2006-07.  The 12 conference wins were the most since 1982-83 (12-4) and the team recorded its second consecutive winning season for the first time since 1987-88 (18-10) and 1988-89 (15-12).  UW-La Crosse advanced to the 2007 WIAC Tournament Championship for the first time in school history, falling at top-ranked UW-Stevens Point.

Koelbl led the Eagles to a breakthrough year in 2005-06 as UW-La Crosse finished 20-8 overall and 10-6 in the league.  The 20 overall wins were the most since 1982-83 (20-7) while the 10 conference victories were the most since 2001-02 (10-6).  The Eagles made their first ever appearance in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Tournament in 2006, falling 79-71 to Calvin College (Mich.) in Holland, Michigan.

He served as an assistant coach at UW-Stevens Point from 1995-2003.  Koelbl also served as the Pointers’ recruiting coordinator and basketball camp administrator/instructor. He helped lead the Pointers to four straight WIAC championships, including the 2002-03 season when the team finished 24-4 overall.  UW-Stevens Point advanced to the NCAA III Tournament “Elite Eight” in 1997 and 2000.

Koelbl, who earned his bachelor’s degree from Viterbo (Wis.) University (1990) and master’s degree from South Dakota State University (1994), was an assistant coach at Viterbo from 1990-92 before serving as a graduate assistant coach at South Dakota State from 1992-94.  Following his position at South Dakota State, Koelbl served as head assistant coach at St. Mary’s (Minn.) University from 1994-95.

A 1996 inductee into the Viterbo University Athletic Hall of Fame, Koelbl was a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Baseball and Basketball District 14 selection in 1990.