RAPID CITY, S.D. – South Dakota Mines is proud to welcome Mike Divilbiss, a veteran coach with over 30 years of collegiate women's basketball experience, to its women's basketball program. Coach Divilbiss brings a wealth of knowledge, having spent 14 years in the NAIA and 16 years at the NCAA Division I level.
Across his distinguished career, Divilbiss has coached teams to 12 national championship appearances and has accumulated an impressive 589 career wins.
"I am extremely excited and thankful for the opportunity to coach collegiate women's basketball at an institution with the standards of excellence that surround South Dakota Mines," said Divilbiss. "In addition, to do so with Kyley Bachand—one of the most competitive and driven players I ever coached, as well as one of the brightest stars in the profession—makes this opportunity one I truly cherish."
As a head coach for 21 seasons, Divilbiss achieved 392 wins, was named Conference or Regional Coach of the Year seven times and was a finalist for National Coach of the Year in 2001. His coaching resume includes mentoring eight All-Americans, 12 Academic All-Americans, and high-profile players such as Emily Faurholdt, NCAA Division 1 scoring champion and Wooden Award finalist, and Leilani Mitchell, All-American and Nancy Lieberman Award finalist.
While coaching in the NAIA, Divilbiss guided six teams to national championship play, including three Elite 8 appearances and a Final Four, compiling a 310–122 record over 14 seasons. During his time at the University of Idaho, he led the Vandals to their only Big West Championship game appearances in 2004 and 2005.
In assistant coaching roles at Eastern Washington and Green Bay, Divilbiss helped his teams reach the NCAA Tournament five times in nine years. At Green Bay, the Phoenix made four straight NCAA Tournament appearances, advancing to the Second Round three times and reaching the Sweet 16 once.
"Mike is going to be a great addition to our program," said Head Coach Kyley Bachand. "With a wealth of knowledge and being relationship-driven, he is the perfect fit to help us take this program to the next level."
