RAPID CITY, S.D. – South Dakota Mines Women's Basketball and head coach Kyley Bachand has announced the signing of Brent Pollari as the program's new assistant coach.

Brent Pollari brings over 25 years of collegiate coaching experience at the NCAA Division I, II and III levels along with five years of high school experience.  

"We are thrilled to add Brent Pollari to our program," head coach Kyley Bachand said. "Brent is extremely connected and brings outstanding coaching experience at every level of the game. His energy is unmatched, and his ability to build strong relationships with our players will have an immediate impact. Most importantly, his vision aligns with mine, and I know we will work very well together as we continue to grow our program."

Pollari most recently served as the head girls basketball coach at Norfolk High School in Norfolk, Neb., during the 2025-26 season.

Before his time in Norfolk, he was the head coach at Wayne State College, an NCAA DII institution in the NSIC, from 2018-25. With the Wildcats, Pollari compiled a 75-103 record in seven seasons, highlighted by their 16-13 mark in the 2019-20 season. He coached two D2CCA All-Region honorees and three CSC Academic All-Americans during his tenure.

Prior to arriving at Wayne State, Pollari spent three seasons (2015-18) as head coach at  St. Mary's University (Minn.), an NCAA DIII institution in the MIAC, compiling a 50-29 record and two trips to the MIAC playoffs. Pollari's 2015-16 team at St. Mary's was 21-6, earning MIAC Coach of the Year honors.

Pollari also served one year as an assistant coach at Minnesota State (2014-15), helping the Mavericks reach the NCAA Division II National Tournament with a 21-10 record.  He also spent one year as an assistant at Division I North Dakota (2013-14), helping the school win the Big Sky Conference title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Other coaching stops for Pollari include six years as associate head coach at Northern State where he was recruiting coordinator and head junior varsity coach, helping the Wolves reach the NCAA Division II Tournament in the 2010-11 season.
Pollari also served as assistant coach/interim head coach at Texas A&M Kingsville (2006-07), was a graduate assistant at Northern State (2004-06) and assistant for one season (2001-02) at Montana State.

Other high school coaching experience for Pollari includes two years as the head girls basketball coach at Corvallis High School in Montana, one year as an assistant at Bozeman High School in Montana and one year at Bismarck St. Mary's High School in North Dakota.

Pollari obtained his bachelor's degree from the University of Mary in 2001 (physical education teaching with history minor) and earned a master's degree from Northern State in 2006 in physical education, health and coaching.