| Brent Pollari was named the MIAC Coach of the Year in 2016. Photo by Ryan Coleman, d3photography.com |
After three seasons as the head coach at St. Mary's (Minn.), Brent Pollari has stepped down to become the head coach at Division II Wayne State in Nebraska.
"I want to thank all of the players, staff, and community at Saint Mary's for giving me the opportunity to be a part of a special program," said Pollari in the university's release. "I have spent many years competing against and admiring Wayne State women's basketball and this was an opportunity I just could not pass up."
Before coming to St. Mary's, Pollari had extensive experience in Division II. He graduated from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, and spent time coaching at Minnesota State, Northern State and Texas A&M-Kingsville.
During his three-year tenure with St. Mary's, the Cardinals went 50-29 including a 21-6 mark in 2015-16 when Pollari was named the MIAC Coach of the Year. The Cardinals finished 16-11 last season.
"I am extremely grateful to Coach Pollari for his work with our women's basketball program," said St. Mary's athletic director Nikki Fennern in the release. "I wish him well in his new venture, knowing that he is leaving our women's basketball program in a very strong position for the future."