DULUTH, Minn. – University of Minnesota Duluth women's basketball head coach
Mandy Pearson announced changes to her coaching staff for the 2023-24 season on Tuesday as
Cecile Kieger will take on the lead assistant role after being an intern assistant last season with former UMD standout
Maesyn Thiesen also joining the staff.
"I am so excited to continue being a Bulldog," Kieger said. "Coming off of an historic season making it all the way to the national championship was unbelievable. Having the opportunity to step into a new role on staff is just the cherry on top. I am so thankful to get another chance to work for Coach Pearson and can't wait to get back in the gym with our incredible athletes."
After serving on the staff of her alma mater in St. Cloud State for the 2021-22 season, Kieger made her UMD coaching debut last year- and what a debut it proved to be. Kieger helped the Bulldogs continue their trend of positive success over the last several seasons all the way to the program's most decorated campaign that culminated with a national runner-up finish.
"Cici has been an incredible addition to our program and I am thrilled she will be joining us full time," said Pearson. "Our team absolutely adores her and I love how passionate she is about the game of basketball. She works incredibly well with people and focuses so much on building great relationships with recruits and our current team. She is so much fun to work with and incredibly helpful! We are very lucky to have her."
While Kieger played an integral role in UMD's historical season from the bench, Thiesen was one of the main orchestrators of the team's success on the court. Thiesen did this not only while maintaining her scoring touch (averaging 7.6 points a night) but also furthering her development as a rebounder, finishing her fifth season with the highest rebounds per game mark of her career at 4.6.
"I couldn't be happier that we get to keep Maesyn here for another year," said Pearson. "She is one of the toughest, yet kindest people I have ever met and has an incredible work ethic. It was an absolute joy to coach her for five years and I am so thankful she is staying on staff. She has great energy, her teammates loved her. She not only has one of highest basketball IQ's I have ever been around but has incredible emotional intelligence as well!"
Finishing third in program history with 491 career assists, Thiesen was named to the All-NSIC Second Team and to the NSIC All-Tournament Team last season. She was also the recipient of the school's E.L. "Duce" Rasmussen Female Scholar-Athlete award.
"I'm very excited to join the women's basketball coaching staff at UMD and have the opportunity to learn from Coach Pearson and assistant coach Cecile Kieger," Thiesen said. "I had such an incredible experience these past five years playing for Coach Pearson and the program that I want to do what I can to support the growth and development of current and future players. I am hoping that the time I spent on the floor will allow me to use the knowledge I have gained to contribute to the success of the team in a different way. As always, Go Bulldogs!"
To Kieger, Thiesen coming aboard provides the program with an opportunity to enhance an already decorated coaching staff with a new perspective that could push an already decorated team- one Thiesen knows very well- to even greater heights.
"I am absolutely thrilled Maesyn is going to be on staff with us," Kieger said. "Coach Pearson has done an amazing job with the program. From four NSIC tournament championships, to four straight NSIC North Division titles, to the central region championship, all the way to the national championship game. Bringing in someone who was actually on the floor for all of those games is really special. Maesyn's knowledge and playing experience will be invaluable to our program. Could not have picked a better person for the role."
