GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota Director of Athletics Bill Chaves and Mallory Bernhard announced on Monday that Bernhard will be stepping down as head coach of the women’s basketball program at North Dakota after five seasons.
In addition, current Associate Head Coach Dennis Hutter has been named the program’s eighth head coach effective immediately.
“Today Coach Bernhard informed me of her decision to step away from UND women’s basketball,” said Chaves. “I know how difficult of a decision this was for her, but I know great things are in store for her moving forward. Mal poured her heart and soul into this program as a player, assistant coach and a head coach and she will be deeply missed by everyone. In addition, we were extremely fortunate to have done a recent search that yielded Coach Hutter into our UND family. His many successful years as Mayville State’s head coach makes him an obvious choice to take over the program.”
Bernhard just completed her fifth season as the head coach at North Dakota, finishing with a 57-87 record. Most recently, she guided UND to its first conference semifinal appearance since 2018-19 and captured victories over rivals North Dakota State and South Dakota. During the 2022-23 campaign, Bernhard and the Fighting Hawks finished with a 19-13 record and an 11-7 mark in conference play to finish third in the Summit League standings before reaching the postseason for the first time since 2016-17 with a berth in the WBI.
Multiple players earned all-league accolades under Bernhard, highlighted by Kacie Borowicz becoming the program’s leader in Division I scoring and being named to the All-Summit League First Team in back-to-back years.
“It is with an incredibly heavy heart that I have decided to step away from North Dakota women’s basketball,” said Bernhard. “I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to be a part of this program for more than 15 years as both a player and a coach. I appreciate the trust Bill Chaves and Dr. Andy Armacost had in me and the support I have felt throughout, as well as to Coach Roebuck for bringing me into this program and teaching me how incredibly special this family is to be a part of. This program is in great hands, and I know this is the right thing to do for the program moving forward and that is what is most important to me.”
After an extensive search process brought Hutter to campus last season, he will become the program’s eighth head coach. Prior to joining the North Dakota staff, Hutter spent the previous 19 years patrolling the sidelines at Mayville state where he compiled a school record 314 wins and seven 20-plus win seasons. Under Hutter’s guidance, the Comets recorded 13 straight winning seasons with a 258-102 mark, three North Star Athletic Association Regular Season Championships and four conference tournament titles, including back-to-back championships during that stretch. The Comets were crowned regular season champions in consecutive seasons in 2018-19 and 2019-20.
“I am excited for the opportunity to lead the North Dakota women’s basketball program,” said Hutter. “This program has a very rich and proud tradition of success both on-and-off the floor. I am excited to continue to lead that tradition. I am very appreciative of the trust and faith that the UND administration has in my ability to move this program forward. Go Hawks!”
Hutter was honored as the NSAA Coach of the Year twice in 2014 and 2019 after leading his team to regular season NSAA titles as well as taking the Comets to NAIA National Tournament Round of 16 twice.
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