Wittenberg Women's Basketball Head Coach Melissa Kolbe

Bio

Wittenberg University Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation Brian Agler '80 announced the appointment of Melissa Kolbe '99 as the 11th head coach of the women's basketball program in its history in May 2022. In October 2025, Kolbe added the title of Senior Woman Administrator.

After four seasons as associate head coach at the University of Cincinnati, Kolbe returned to her alma mater. During her time at UC, she helped coach 2020-21 AAC Player of the Year IImar'I Thomas, who set both the UC and AAC single-game scoring records with 51 points and 12 rebounds. Before Cincinnati, Kolbe spent three seasons at Western Kentucky University, helping lead the Lady Toppers to 78 wins, two Conference USA Tournament titles, and consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Her coaching career also included stops at Mount St. Mary's University, Eastern Kentucky University, and East Carolina University. Kolbe began coaching after graduating from Wittenberg University, serving at Valdosta State University before moving to Mercer University for the 2001-02 season.

As a player at Wittenberg University, Kolbe served as team captain her senior year and still ranks fifth in program history in career field goal percentage list after knocking down 271-of-530 (.511) shot attempts during her four-year playing career. She earned team MVP honors in 1998-99 and was named first-team All-NCAC as a senior. During her four-year career, Kolbe helped lead the Tigers to three NCAC Championships, two NCAC Tournament titles, and two NCAA Tournament appearances.

Coaching History

• Valdosta State, Assistant Coach (1999-2001)
• Mercer University, Assistant Coach (2001-2002)
• East Carolina, Assistant Coach (2002-2008)
• Eastern Kentucky, Assistant Coach (2008-2014)
• Mount Saint Mary’s, Assistant Coach (2015-2015)
• University of Cincinnati, Associate Head Coach (2019-2022)
• Wittenberg University, Head Coach (2022-present)

Wittenberg Highlights

• Wittenberg has been NCAC regular season title winners once under Kolbe’s leadership (2022-23 season)
• Named NCAC Coaching Staff of the Year (2023)
• All-NCAC award-winners: 7 different players have earned a total of 12 All-NCAC awards.
• All-NCAC Tournament team winners: 1 different player have earned a total of 1 All-NCAC tournament team awards.
• NCAC Academic Honor Roll under Kolbe: 4 players
• CSC Academic All-District: 9 players