HANCOCK — John Motherwell has been hired as the head coach of women’s basketball at Finlandia University. He was an assistant coach at Valparaiso this past season. Motherwell, who has 18 years of collegiate experience, is set to start on March 20.

“I am very pleased to announce the hiring of John Motherwell as the new Finlandia women’s basketball coach” said Athletic Director Curtis Wittenberg. “Coach Mo comes to us as an excellent recruiter with plenty of experience at various levels. He is a coach that will invest in his players and make sure that their experience at Finlandia, on and off the court, will be one they won’t forget.”

Motherwell spent two years at Minnesota (2014-16) helping the Golden Gophers win 43 games and earn an NCAA Tournament berth. In his time at Minnesota, Motherwell helped coach a pair of First Team All-Americans and three WNBA draft picks, including working directly with post players Amanda Zahui B. and Shae Kelley, both of whom were selected in the 2015 WNBA Draft – Zahui B. second overall to the Tulsa Shock. He also coached Rachel Banham who was the number four overall pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft. 

Motherwell had assistant positions at North Dakota (2010-11), West Florida (2012-13) and Detroit Mercy (2013-14). 

Motherwell moved on to be an assistant coach at Milwaukee (2005-10). The Panthers won 89 games and reached at least the Horizon League Tournament Semifinals four times. In his first season, UWM went 23-10 and won the conference tournament to qualify for the NCAA Division Tournament. 

From 2000-05, Motherwell was an assistant coach at Minnesota State Moorhead. The Dragons had a winning season every year after seven straight losing campaigns. In 2004-05, MSUM won a school record 24 games and qualified for the NCAA Division II Tournament.