John Motherwell Resigns from UND Women’s Basketball Coaching Staff

John Motherwell has announced his resignation from his position with the UND women’s basketball team, marking the end of his third coaching stint in Grand Forks. Motherwell, who previously left the Fighting Hawks last May for an assistant position at Central Michigan before returning to UND as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator in August, has decided to step down effective immediately.

Motherwell’s departure opens up another coaching position for head coach Mallory Bernhard to fill this offseason, adding to the three new assistants she will have heading into the 2024-25 season. Former assistants Travis Bledsoe and Sabra Wimberley did not have their contracts renewed after the 2023-24 season, with Dennis Hutter being hired as the associate head coach at the end of March to fill one of the vacancies.

Having previously coached at West Florida, Detroit Mercy, Minnesota, Valparaiso, and Finlandia, Motherwell has had a long coaching career that includes multiple stints at UND. His most recent tenure saw him serve as an associate head coach under Bernhard until his resignation.

The Fighting Hawks finished last season with a 9-21 record, falling to Oral Roberts in the first round of the Summit League Tournament. With key players graduating and transferring, the team will look to regroup and build around returning scorers Kiyah Hurst and Kiera Pemberton, as well as South Dakota transfer Walker Demers.

As the team prepares for the upcoming season, Bernhard will be tasked with filling Motherwell’s position and continuing to shape the program for success in the competitive landscape of college basketball.