BOWLING GREEN — Fred Chmiel, who has spent the past eight seasons as an assistant coach of a highly successful South Carolina women’s basketball team, has been hired as Bowling Green State University’s coach.
Chmiel replaces Robyn Fralick, who took over as Michigan State’s coach on March 31 after guiding the Falcons for the past five seasons. BGSU announced the hiring of Chmiel on Saturday morning.
The 10th coach in BGSU women’s basketball history, Chmiel brings plenty of knowledge at the highest level in women’s college basketball to Bowling Green. Chmiel has spent the past 17 seasons as an assistant coach at South Carolina (2015-23), Minnesota (2014-15), Penn State (2010-14), San Diego State (2008-10), and Temple (2006-08).
During his time on coach Dawn Staley’s staff at South Carolina, the Gamecocks had a 247-32 record, including five Southeastern Conference regular-season titles, six SEC tournament championships, and two national championships (2017 and 2022).
“My family and I are so thankful and excited for the opportunity to join the Bowling Green community,” Chmiel said in a news release. “I am grateful to [BGSU] president [Rodney] Rogers, [athletic director] Derek van der Merwe and [deputy AD] Stacy Kosciak for the tremendous opportunity to lead this program.
“We look forward to continued success and reaching new heights here at BGSU.”
Chmiel’s role at BGSU will be his first head coaching position since he was the men’s coach at Lassen Community College in California from 1999-2005. He was also the head coach at Feather River College, where he started his collegiate playing career, from 1995-99.
Chmiel, who was an assistant to Staley in his time at Temple, coached her for a season in the WNBA as well. Chmiel was an assistant coach for the Charlotte Sting in 2005 when Staley played for the team.
“When looking for qualified head coach candidates, you look at individuals who have been around great mentors, teachers, and leaders,” van der Merwe said. “You look at people who have had powerful and transformational experiences.
“Fred Chmiel has served and learned from the best coaches and student-athletes. He has had a long career in women’s basketball and has been part of 15 NCAA tournament appearances.
“He coached his coach, Dawn Staley, in the WNBA. He has patiently waited for his opportunity. It is time for him to be a part of the championship culture we are building at Bowling Green State University.”
Staley said in the release that Chmiel is “the perfect person for Bowling Green.”
“I have had the privilege of coaching with Fred both at Temple and South Carolina and his contributions have proven to be invaluable,” Staley said. “He is a student of the game who will continue the success of the Falcons.
“Fred is results-oriented and will be an ambassador for the University in the community. He is an outstanding floor coach and relentless recruiter. With Fred at the helm of the Falcons program he will create an infectious culture that will create a home court advantage at the Stroh Center every night.”
Chmiel worked mostly with the frontcourt during his tenure at South Carolina. He has worked with five all-SEC forwards, including SEC and national players of the year in Aliyah Boston and A’ja Wilson. Boston has twice been named the Naismith defensive player of the year and SEC player of the year, and she was a four-time all-American and SEC defensive player of the year.
South Carolina reached the Final Four of the NCAA tournament each of the past three seasons. The Gamecocks (36-1) set a program record for wins in a season during the 2022-23 campaign after going 35-2 the previous year.
“Fred is truly an outstanding coach,” said Rutgers coach Coquese Washington, who guided Penn State from 2007-19. “He excels at player development, is a masterful tactician, and is a flat-out winner. Every program he has been a part of has won. He will no doubt bring that winning edge to Bowling Green.”
First Published April 8, 2023, 3:20 p.m.
