After five seasons as head coach of the Northwestern women’s basketball team, June Olkowski will not receive a contract renewal for the 2004-05 season, Athletic Director Mark Murphy announced Wednesday.
“A change was needed,” Murphy said.
The announcement marks the end of Olkowski’s rocky tenure at NU, in which she posted a 31-108 record — 7-73 in Big Ten games. The best showing by an Olkowski-coached team was in 2002-03, when the Wildcats won eight games, three in league play, to finish 10th in the Big Tenstandings. NU also finished 10th in Olkowski’s first year on the job in1999-00.
Murphy said Olkowski’s departure was not a mutual agreement, but hewould not reveal the specifics of their negotiations.
“It’s always tough, especially because June is such a good person,”Murphy said. “But in my opinion, the program needed a change.”
Olkowski could not be reached for comment Wednesday night.
Junior Sarah Kwasinski said Olkowski called a team meeting Tuesdaymorning at which she told her players she would not be returning.
“I think we’re still in shock right now,” Kwasinski said Wednesday.”It’s a weird place to be, not having a coach and not knowing who yourcoach is going to be. But in terms of her leaving, I think we just needed a change.”
Olkowski’s departure comes after the Wildcats posted an 8-20 overallrecord during the 2003-04 season. The eight victories tied Olkowski’sbest overall win total at NU, but this year the Cats came away withjust one win in 17 Big Ten contests.
“We had some encouraging and promising wins early on in the season, but we struggled with the Big Ten,” Murphy said.
Olkowski signed a five-year contract with NU in March 1999 after sixsuccessful seasons with Butler, where she tallied a 114-56 record, earning three Midwestern Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year titles.
“She came here with a very successful record at Butler and she has agreat work ethic that she instilled in her players (at NU),” Murphy said.
Murphy also announced Wednesday that the search for a new coach already is underway.
“I have a couple of people in mind, but nothing imminent at this point,” said Murphy, who didn’t name any candidates.
He added it’s unlikely that one of Olkowski’s assistants will take over the vacant head coaching position.
