Sankey takes over as head women’s basketball coach at CU-Ann Arbor
Concordia alum Thad Sankey (’06) has been named head women’s basketball coach at Concordia University-Ann Arbor, the school officially announced on Saturday. Sankey spent the past season as the graduate assistant coach under Bulldog head coach Drew Olson.
“Being part of the Concordia (Nebraska) women's basketball program was a great opportunity,” Sankey said. “I was blessed to work with an excellent coaching staff and a special group of players while gaining valuable coaching experience. I am thankful for my time spent at Concordia.”
Sankey’s promotion to head coach of the well-respected Cardinal program marks a quick rise up the ladder for the former Bulldog men’s basketball team captain. Sankey spent five years coaching high school and junior high hoops in Broken Arrow, Okla., prior to joining Olson’s staff.
Sankey made a positive impact in his one season assisting Bulldog women’s basketball. As junior varsity head coach, he led the team to a record of 13-4. In addition, Sankey played a vital role in all aspects of the varsity program and elevated its profile through the use of behind-the-scenes videos and social media.
Olson believes Sankey is ready for the opportunity he’s been given.
“I am really excited that Thad has been given the opportunity to be a head coach,” Olson said. “He deserves it. His faith, sacrifice and hard work this past year was remarkable. Thad was a great coach for our players. He helped with the staff with recruiting, scouting and we will definitely miss the videos he put together for our social media. We are all very sad to see him go but I know he will do great things at CUAA.”
Sankey, a team member of two Bulldog national tournament qualifiers for then head coach Grant Schmidt, takes over a CU-Ann Arbor team that, in 2012-13, went 28-7, reached the national tournament and finished at No. 11 in the postseason coaches’ poll.
Sankey’s Cardinals and Olson’s Bulldogs could meet at next year’s Concordia Invitational Tournament hosted by Concordia-Wisconsin. The two squads have faced off in the CIT championship game in each of the last three years.
