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Michaela Kleisinger will be back with the University of Regina Cougars women’s basketball team.
It was announced on Monday, she can now remove the interim tag from her name after accepting an offer from the U of R following a review.
“The biggest thing that kept coming up for me is immense gratitude. That was a crazy experience but I’m so grateful for the people who made it work out,” Kleisinger said. “I have said this was always the dream so grateful to make it happen.”
The U of R started a review last week of the hiring process after social media comments said the team had elected to move on from Kleisinger, who was the interim head coach.
“My mom used the analogy that it was like going to your own funeral. People were saying things about me you would never know that they had to say. I was appreciative of the immense support. I’ve said to recruits it’s the community that makes Regina so special. They really came out in full force for me,” Kleisinger said.
She confirmed she had interviewed for the job and was told she was not going to be hired.
“The tears came immediately. It has been a dream and it was pretty shocking. I can’t believe how the last 10 days have gone and here we are and it all worked out. That’s what I’m focused on right now,” Kleisinger said. “I’m at work right now for our practice tonight. I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited to be in a gym in my life so just focusing on how we are moving forward for sure.”
Kleisinger said she was told a review was ongoing but didn’t hear much more than that.
“They phoned me (Sunday) night and offered me the job,” Kleisinger said. “I don’t even know what came of the review at all. They phoned me and asked if I was still interested and I said yes. They asked if I had any questions and I said I have lots but I’m just going to say thank you.”
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On Monday, a statement from Dr. Jeff Keshen, the university’s president and vice-chancellor, provided an update on the review.
“The University of Regina has determined that certain important factors, including the interim coach’s demonstrated performance and the strong competitive record under her leadership, as well as her deep connection to the institution and the broader community, were not given the necessary weight and merit,” the statement read.
“In light of these considerations, an offer has been made and accepted by Michaela Kleisinger to lead the Cougars women’s basketball team as head coach. This decision reflects the University’s commitment to excellence in sport, inclusive leadership, and the future of Cougars women’s basketball.”
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 off-season and held a 17-3 conference record, with the team ranked among the best in Canada at times.
Kleisinger was named the coach of the year at the team’s varsity sports awards ceremony.
“It’s so different when you inherit a team. I was so grateful for the team I did inherit and they were so successful and a great group of girls. Now we do get to turn the page and I think that’s a bit turning it for me and our program and hopefully build on that success,” Kleisinger said. Hopefully, just building on that success. We have seven new kids coming in so it’s a big turnover. A lot of people asked me even before signing recruits, what the next year will look like and it’s never scared me because kids leave every year.
“We lost two of the best to ever do it (Jade Belmore and Cara Misskey) but that’s how this works. You lose kids every five years so we’ve got great new ones coming in and looking to keep that success we’ve had and build on it,” Kleisinger said.
And she’s already set to get on the recruiting trail as she has booked a flight to Calgary for the weekend to scout players.
“Now that I’ve had it taken away for a while, just grateful for every step of it and every part of it. I can’t wait to get on the road again and do the thing,” Kleisinger said.
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