Luther athletic director Joe Thompson has announced that Amanda Nechuta has accepted the position of head women’s basketball coach.
Nechuta, a 2005 graduate of UW-Stevens Point and a three-time D3hoops.com All-American forward for the Pointers, takes over the Norse program after serving the past three years as Luther’s top assistant coach under Jane Hildebrand. Hildebrand resigned after 27 years as head coach to accept the position of assistant dean for student life at Luther.
“I am greatly honored to be selected as the women's basketball coach for Luther College,” stated Nechuta. “I am very appreciative of Director of Athletics Joe Thompson, President Torgerson and the entire search committee for allowing me the opportunity to lead this program. My goals are to develop these young women both on and off the floor to be role models here at Luther College, as well as in our community, while continuing a winning tradition. I'm excited to get to work.”
Prior to joining the Luther coaching staff, Nechuta spent the 2007 season at her alma mater, UW-Stevens Point, while completing her master’s degree in general education.
While in a Pointer uniform from 2002-05, Nechuta was a three-time D3hoops.com All-American, earning fourth-team honors as a sophomore in 2003, second team in 2004 and first team in 2005. She was also a three-time WIAC first-team all-conference selection and twice earned league Player of the Year honors. The Pointers posted an overall record of 101-19 during that time, capturing the national title in 2002 and finishing fourth in 2004. She completed her career as the Pointers all-time leading scorer with a career mark of 1,801 points.
As a member of the track and field team, she earned All-America honors four times in the shot put and once in the discus.
“I am excited that Amanda has accepted the position of head women's basketball coach at Luther College,” Thompson said. “She has been an integral part of the coaching staff these past three years and has made many positive contributions to the basketball program during her tenure. Amanda brings great enthusiasm, knowledge, and leadership skills to the basketball program, and we look forward to her perpetuating the tradition of success in women's basketball at Luther College.”