DULUTH, Minn. – The College of St. Scholastica Athletics Department has announced that head women's basketball coach Jason Schmitz has resigned his position to accept an assistant coaching opportunity at the NCAA Division I level.

Schmitz departs after five seasons leading the Saints, guiding the program through its transition into the MIAC and helping establish a strong foundation for long-term success. This past season marked one of the program's most successful campaigns in the past two decades, as the Saints finished 16-10 overall and secured their first MIAC postseason berth since joining the league.

"What Coach Schmitz accomplished for St. Scholastica Women's Basketball goes far beyond wins and his legacy here is undeniable—he raised the standard on the court, in the classroom, in the culture he built and left a lasting foundation for success," said Athletic Director Jessica Cherry. "I am grateful for this leadership. This next step is a testament to his vision and well deserved, and we're excited to watch him thrive."

During his tenure, Schmitz emphasized player development, competitive growth, and a culture aligned with the College's values, positioning the Saints as a rising program within the MIAC. His leadership played a key role in elevating the program's competitiveness and visibility across the conference.

"The last five seasons at St. Scholastica have been incredibly rewarding," said Schmitz. "Taking over a program transitioning into the MIAC was a daunting task and I'm incredibly grateful for both the investment of the institution in our program but more importantly each player and family that believed in us. Thank you to every single person that helped us move the program forward, I will miss this place and my players dearly but cannot wait to be a fan of the Saints going forward!"

A national search for the program's next head coach will begin immediately.