(GREEN BAY ATHLETICS) – After back-to-back Horizon League Titles and NCAA Tournament appearances, Green Bay Athletics and the Green Bay women’s basketball head coach Kayla Karius agreed to a contract extension that will keep her in Green Bay through the 2034-35 season. Through two years at the helm in Green Bay, Karius has led the Phoenix to a 54-15 overall record, and 36-4 record in Horizon League play.
“Coach Karius continues to carry on the legacy of excellence that defines UW-Green Bay Women’s Basketball,” said UW-Green Bay Chancellor Michael Alexander. “Everything she does is carried out with the utmost class. We are proud to have her as an alumna carrying on the standard that she set as a player and now a coach UW-Green Bay. I am excited to see what she will accomplish in the years ahead!”
Karius, a 2011 graduate of UW-Green Bay, and Sheboygan, Wisconsin native, was tasked with succeeding Kevin Borseth following his retirement after Green Bay won the Horizon League Tournament Championship and went to the NCAA Tournament in 2023-24. Under Karius’ leadership the Phoenix hasn’t skipped a beat. Green Bay has a streak of 49 consecutive winning seasons, second to only Tennessee’s 50. In a stretch that spanned from Dec. 11, 2024 to Feb. 7, 2026, GB had won 36 straight games against Horizon League opponents.
“We are thrilled that Kayla will be leading the Phoenix long into the future,” said Mark Murphy Endowed Director of Athletics Josh Moon. “She has done an amazing job since her arrival two years ago and truly embodies The Green Bay Way in every aspect of her leadership. We are excited to watch her continue to build on the rich tradition of this program and take us to new heights in the years ahead.”
Karius was named the Horizon League Coach of the Year following the 2025-26 season, and has also guided several players to award-winning seasons in her two years with the Phoenix. In 2024-25, Bailey Butler was named Defensive Player of the Year, and Natalie McNeal and Maddy Schreiber were tabbed to the All-League First Team. Jasmine Kondrakiewicz also made the All-Defensive Team. In 2025-26, Jenna Guyer was named the Player of the Year, All-League First Team, and All-Defensive Team honors. Maddy Skorupski was named to the All-League Second Team, and Meghan Schultz earned an All-League Third Team nod.
“Thank you Chancellor Alexander and Josh Moon for your belief in me, our staff, and our program,” added Karius. “Our administration continues to step up and show their support for Green Bay women’s basketball! In the current landscape of college basketball, stability is rare. This is a destination school for players and for coaches. I fell in love with this program as a young girl and want nothing more than to see it flourish. My family and I are proud to show recruits, current student-athletes, and fans that Green Bay is home!”
Along with the success on the court, the Phoenix has been excellent academically. After the 2024-25 season, the Phoenix earned the top spot in the WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll. Out of all NCAA Division I schools, Green Bay finished first with a 3.862 GPA.
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