Dan Messmann Steps down as women's golf, basketball coach

WINONA, Minn. — The search just became plural.

Just a week after Chris Kendall announced that he would need to begin a search for a new fastpitch softball coach, two more coaching vacancies opened up.

SMU women's basketball and golf coach Dan Messmann announced Monday that he was stepping down from his coaching duties, effective at the end of the current school year.

"I have truly enjoyed my six years here at Saint Mary's, but I just felt it was time to step down and pursue other opportunities," said Messmann, who had been the women's golf coach the past six seasons, and the women's basketball coach for four. "This has been a great experience for me, I just felt that for personal and family reasons, it was time for me to step down."

Messmann guided the Cardinals to a 56-47 record in his four years as head women's basketball coach, including Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference playoff appearances in 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05. His 2004-05 team finished with an 18-8 record — the most wins since SMU went 21-3 and placed third in the NCAA regional tournament in 1985-86 — and hosted its first-ever MIAC tournament game. Messmann's golf team, meanwhile, posted its best-ever conference finish in 2005, placing fourth. 

"I want to thank Dan for his contributions to Saint Mary's University and the women's basketball and golf programs," said Kendall, who, in his first duty as athletic director four years ago, hired Messmann as the head women's basketball coach. "He has helped bring both the women's golf and basketball programs to where they are today, and I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors."

Kendall added that a search for Messmann's replacements would begin immediately.