Michaela Kleisinger hired as Cougars women’s basketball head coach after review

University of Regina Cougars women's basketball interim head coach Michaela Kleisinger watches on during a team practice

Michaela Kleisinger has been hired as the University of Regina (U of R) Cougars women’s basketball head coach following an internal review, the school said in an update Monday.

Last week, the university launched an investigation into its recruitment process after reports circulated that Kleisinger was passed over for the full-time position.

In an email to CTV News Monday, the U of R confirmed she had been offered the head coach role and accepted.

“The University of Regina has determined that certain important factors including the interim coach’s demonstrated performance and the strong competitive record under her leadership, as well as her deep connection to the institution and the broader community were not given the necessary weight and merit,” President and vice-chancellor Jeff Keshen’s statement read.

“In light of these considerations, an offer has been made and accepted by Michaela Kleisinger to lead the Cougars women’s basketball team as head coach. This decision reflects the University’s commitment to excellence in sport, inclusive leadership, and the future of Cougars women’s basketball.”

Kleisinger took over head coaching duties prior to the start of the 2025-26 season following the departure of longtime bench boss Dave Taylor in July.

Under her leadership, the Cougars sported a 17-3 regular season record, earning a Canada West postseason birth with the second-best record in the Prairie Division and was the No. 4 team in the country.

Regina won 15-straight games to begin their season before losing three-in-a-row against Alberta and Saskatchewan – a Huskies team which has won 50-straight.

Seventeen wins matched its total in 2022-23, the program’s most since the pandemic. It is also the school’s second-best record in the past 10 years.

The Cougars went on to lose in the conference semi-finals and failed to make the national final 8 tournament.