Head coach | KAYLA KARIUS
The Karius File
Hometown: Sheboygan, Wis.
Alma Mater: UW-Green Bay ‘11
Degree: Business Administration with a Marketing emphasis
Coaching Experience:
2024-present: Head Coach, Green Bay
2022-2024: Head Coach, South Dakota
2021-2022: Assistant Coach, Drake
2020-2021: Associate Head Coach, Wisconsin
2018-2020: Assistant Coach, Wisconsin
2016-2018: Assistant Coach, South Dakota
2015-2016: Assistant Coach, Sioux Falls
Playing Experience:
2011-2015, Professional Athlete – Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany
2007-2011, Student-Athlete – Green Bay Phoenix
- Two-time First Team All-Horizon League selection
- Horizon League Co-Player of the Year
- Cecil N. Colman Medal of Honor
- Member of the 1,000-point club
- Led Green Bay to four Horizon League titles
- Three NCAA Tournament Appearances
Kayla Karius (Tetschlag) was named the fourth head coach of Green Bay women’s basketball on April 23, 2024.
The Sheboygan, Wis., native comes to the Phoenix after two seasons at the University of South Dakota where she led the Coyotes to back-to-back winning seasons in the Summit League, including a 23-13 record last season that ended with a pair of wins in the WNIT.
A key recruiter in the Midwest, Karius has served as the recruiting coordinator at all four stops in her coaching career – Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Drake. Her recruiting classes at South Dakota included 2022 Summit League Player of the Year Chloe Lamb, three-time Defensive Player of the Year Hannah Sjerven, two-time all-league pick Liv Korngable, Monica Arens, Claudia Kunzer, Regan Sankey, and Allison Peplowski.
Before her second stint at South Dakota, Karius spent three seasons at Wisconsin and one at Drake. The Bulldogs won 20 games and reached the WNIT's round of 16. Karius worked with first-team all-Missouri Valley picks Grace Berg and Megan Meyer.
Karius graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in 2011 with a bachelor's degree in business administration with a marketing emphasis. Karius, a standout as a player on the Phoenix basketball team, was the 2011 Horizon League Player of the Year. She led Green Bay to four Horizon League titles, three NCAA Tournaments, and the NCAA Sweet 16 her senior year. She received the Horizon League Cecil N. Colman Medal of Honor at the conclusion of her playing career. In the summer of 2023, Karius was inducted into the Green Bay Athletics Hall of Fame and is one of 37 Phoenix players in the 1,000-point club.
What They Are Saying About Karius
Josh Moon, Green Bay Director of Athletics
“We are thrilled to welcome Kayla and her family back home to TITLETOWN. Kayla epitomized the GREEN BAY WAY as a player, and she is a rising star as a coach. She will take this program to even greater heights. It’s so special for our team to be able to be led by someone who has been in their shoes and believes to her core of the power of Green Bay Basketball.”
Michael Alexander, UW-Green Bay Chancellor
“We could not be more excited to bring Kayla Karius back to Green Bay. She understands the tradition of excellence in our Women’s Basketball program and has the vision and courage to build on it. I can’t wait to support her and our student-athletes as they continue to rise!”
Kevin Borseth, Former Phoenix Head Coach
“How exciting to bring Kayla back home. Her coaching experience coupled with her familiarity and love for our program are going to serve her well at Green Bay. I’m excited about the future of Green Bay Women’s Basketball.”
Jonathan Tsipis, Western Carolina Women’s Basketball Head Coach
“What a perfect hire for Green Bay Women’s Basketball in Kayla Karius. From her Hall of Fame career as a player at GB to her connections in the state of Wisconsin and in the Midwest, Kayla is a proven winner and relationship builder. She has been an exceptional leader and motivator during her successful coaching journey. Who wouldn’t want their daughter to play for Coach Kayla. The future of the Phoenix women’s basketball is in great hands with Kayla Karius.”
Craig Smith, Utah Men’s Basketball Head Coach
"Green Bay is getting an elite person, coach, recruiter, and leader! Kayla is the total package and I have no doubt she'll continue the excellent tradition of Green Bay Women's Basketball!"
Allison Pohlman, Drake Women’s Basketball Head Coach
“Kayla Karius is a proven winner. She leads with a competitive spirit, has tremendous relational skills, and exhibits a tireless work ethic. Kayla will represent herself and the program with pride and integrity. Watching her being welcomed back to UW-Green Bay is a phenomenal hire there is no doubt she will do special things.”