KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kate Achter has been named as the new head coach of the WMU women’s basketball program.
WMU officials say Achter is responsible for the largest turnaround in program history at Loyola Chicago, going from 2-28 to 18-12, and at Detroit Mercy, taking a 1-29 team to 32 wins over two seasons.
They say she is known to be a relentless recruiter and brings a wealth of coaching experience, player development expertise, and an intimate knowledge of the Mid-American Conference as a former standout at Bowling Green State University.
“Success at Western Michigan University has always been built on hard work, grit, and an unwavering belief amidst adversity. In my conversations with Kate, it was clear she embodied those traits and it is evident in her body of work”, said Vice President/Director of Athletics Dan Bartholomae. “In addition to leading two programs to their largest turnarounds in history, she has coached at the highest levels of some of the country’s elite basketball conferences in the Big East and Atlantic 10. She is a tremendous example of student-athlete success in the MAC for our team, as a four-time MAC Champion, All-American, and Hall of Famer at Bowling Green State University. We welcome Kate, Tina, Reese, and Archie to the Bronco Family.”
Before Western Michigan, Achter served as the head coach at Detroit Mercy. She led a program that had won an average of 2 games annually over 5 years prior to her arrival to 32 wins in 2 years. In her second season, she led UDM to a 17-15 record in 2023-24, marking the program’s first winning season since 2016-17.
Under her leadership, Detroit Mercy recorded marquee wins over league powerhouses Cleveland State and Purdue Fort Wayne, and earned its first postseason victory in the Horizon League Championship since 2017.
Prior to her time in Detroit, Achter spent six seasons as the head coach at Loyola Chicago, guiding the Ramblers from a two-win season in her first year to an 18-12 mark in her final campaign, which was the program’s best record in over three decades. Her tenure saw Loyola earn its first-ever postseason berth in the Women’s Basketball Invitational and produce multiple All-Conference selections.
She has also served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Xavier and St. Bonaventure, helping both programs secure postseason appearances and a NCAA Sweet 16 berth with the Bonnies.
A decorated player and Honorable Mention All-American at Bowling Green, Achter led the Falcons to four MAC titles and a historic Sweet 16 appearance in 2007. She remains Bowling Green’s all-time leader in assists (688) and free throws made (551) and was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2018.
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