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After social media backlash, the University of Regina is reviewing the process it used when hiring a new head coach for its women’s basketball team.
Over the weekend, some alumni expressed disappointment online after it appeared interim head coach Michaela Kleisinger was passed over for the job. The university has not yet announced who will be taking on the head coach role going forward, and Kleisinger told 980 CJME she had no comment at this time.
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“The University of Regina is aware that concerns have been brought forward regarding the national recruitment process for the head coach of the Cougars women’s basketball team,” the school said in a statement.
“The University takes these concerns seriously and will immediately begin a review of the hiring process.”
Kleisinger is a former player who spent five years as a member of the U of R Cougars women’s basketball team. During that time, she averaged 13 points, 7.2 rebounds, and six assists per game. She joined the coaching staff for the 2022-23 season under the team’s long-time head coach Dave Taylor.
Taylor left the U of R to become the head coach of the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds last season, and Kleisinger was named the interim head coach of the Cougars.
Under Kleisinger, the team overcame the chaos of the offseason and held a 17-3 conference record, with the team ranked among the best in Canada at times. The Cougars’ season came to an end in the Canada West semifinal after a loss to the Thunderbirds.
Kleisinger was named the coach of the year at the team’s varsity sports awards ceremony.
Dr. Kara Haus, a U of R alumnus, shared a letter to U of R president Jeff Keshen on social media.
“This letter is to express my deep concern, disappointment, and outright disgust regarding the decision to pass over Michaela Kleisinger for the head coaching position with the women’s basketball program,” Haus wrote.
On Facebook, Lindsey Phillips indicated the decision was personal to her family as her twin daughters committed to the U of R in big part due to Kleisinger.
No timeline has been given on when the review will be completed.
