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MARSHALL, Minn. - Southwest Minnesota State University Director of Athletics Chris Hmielewski announced on Wednesday that Allison Kruger has been named the new head women's basketball coach at SMSU.

Kruger becomes the seventh head coach in program history and takes over for Mike Jewett, who stepped down as head coach on March 1 after four seasons.

“I am very excited about the positive energy and passion Allison will bring to the SMSU women's basketball program,” Hmielewski said on Wednesday.  “Allison's success as a player and assistant coach have prepared her well to begin the next step in her professional career as a head coach.  I believe her leadership, communication skills and ability to develop strong relationships will help the overall growth and development of the Mustang women's basketball program at SMSU, in the Marshall Community and throughout the region.  I would like to welcome Allison Kruger to the Mustang family.”

Kruger recently completed her second season as assistant coach at NCAA Division I University of South Dakota.  During her two seasons at USD, the Coyotes had a combined record of 33-27 as the program moves from NCAA Division II to Division I.  Prior to coming to USD, Kruger was an assistant for four seasons at Wayne State College.  During her time at WSC, the Wildcats compiled a record of 88-35, which included two appearances in the NCAA tournament, one Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference regular championship and one tournament championship.

“I am extremely excited to join the Mustang family and the community of Marshall,” Kruger said.  “Southwest Minnesota State University is an outstanding institution that has so much to offer.  I am grateful to Chris Hmielewski for the opportunity to begin my career as a head coach and to build on an already successful Mustang women's basketball program.”

Prior to starting her coaching career, Kruger played four seasons at NCAA Division II University of Nebraska-Kearney.  She was a second team All-America selection in 2004 and was named honorable mention All-America in 2003.  A two-time team captain, Kruger was twice named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Player of the Year (2002-03 & 2003-04) and was also a two-time All-North Central Region honoree.  She was also a standout in the classroom, twice earning CoSIDA Academic All-District honors while earning Academic All-RMAC three times.

Kruger finished her career ranking third all-time in school history in points scored (1,682), fourth in rebounds (788), fourth in field goals made (623), second in free throws made (426) and fourth in blocked shots (91), while helping lead the Lopers to four RMAC regular season championships, three RMAC tournament championships and four NCAA tournament appearances.  UNK finished 101-21 during Kruger's four seasons as a player.

Kruger is a 2004 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Kearney with a degree in education and earned her master's degree from Wayne State College in sport management in 2006.

“Allison is ready to be a head coach,” said Ryun Williams, head women's basketball coach at the University of South Dakota.  “She is a passionate, intense and organized coach, who knows the game as well as anyone I've been around in coaching.  SMSU is getting a quality person as its next head coach.”

Southwest Minnesota State University, located in Marshall, is a member of NCAA Division II and competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.  SMSU finished 15-12 this past season, recording the program's first winning season since 2004-05.