Krueger Resigns As Colorado Mines' Head Women's Basketball Coach

Courtesy Colin Bonnicksen, Colorado Mines sports information director

GOLDEN – Colorado School of Mines Director of Athletics Tom Spicer has announced that Head Coach Paula Krueger has resigned her position at the university as of March 22, ending a nine-year tenure at the helm of the women's basketball program. 

"Paula has provided us with an excellent foundation to our program," said Spicer. "We deeply appreciate her efforts over the past nine years, not only to the women's basketball program but to the entire university and to the community. We wish her and her family the best in their future endeavors." 

"I want to thank all the players that I have had the privilege to coach here at the Colorado School of Mines," said Krueger. "You have made Brad and I feel special. You all are the best."

The winningest coach in the program's history, Krueger and her 2009-10 squad set a school record with 20 victories en route to a berth in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. A year earlier, Krueger led her team to the RMAC East Division title – also a program first. 

Hired as the fifth coach in the program's history, Krueger resigns as the second longest tenured coach in the conference and the longest tenured coach in the 36-year history of the Mines women's basketball program. She led teams to a combined 133-125 overall record during her nine seasons while also recording a 93-84 mark in conference games.

A two-sport standout for Northern State in Aberdeen, S.D., Krueger led the Wolves to three-consecutive appearances in the NAIA National Championship game, including national titles during her sophomore and senior seasons, as well as tournament MVP honors as a senior. She also earned all-district honors and served as team captain of the softball team and earned NSU's prestigious Hildred Wolfe Student Athlete of the Year award as a senior.

Following her playing career, Krueger entered the world of coaching as a graduate assistant at Northern State before taking a teaching and coaching position at Pahrump Valley High School for one year before returning to Northern State as an assistant under legendary coach Curt Fredrickson. Northern State posted a 114-59 mark during her six years as an assistant. She was inducted into the Northern State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.

The Colorado School of Mines will begin the search for Kruger's replacement immediately.