Wittenberg University Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation Brian Agler '80 announced the appointment of Melissa Kolbe '99 as the 11th head coach of the women's basketball program in its history in May 2022.

Kolbe returned to her alma mater after four seasons as the associate head coach at the University of Cincinnati. In her time at UC, she helped coach the 2020-21 American Athletic Conference (AAC) Player of the Year, IImar'I Thomas after she set the UC women's basketball record and the AAC record for most points in a game when she poured in 51 points to go with 12 rebounds, among numerous other achievements.

"I am honored to be named the next head women's basketball coach at my alma mater," Kolbe said. "Wittenberg University, and specifically this program, has been instrumental in my growth both personally and professionally, and I am ecstatic at the opportunity to give back to the next generation of Tigers."

In her first two seasons at Wittenberg, Kolbe enjoyed tremendous success, leading the Tigers to overall records of 21-5 in the 2022-23 season and 19-7 in the 2023-24 season. Wittenberg shared the NCAC regular season title both seasons with records of 13-1 in 2022-23 and 11-3 in 2023-24. Four players earned All-NCAC awards following the 2022-23 season, and three players earned All-NCAC awards in 2023-24. Kolbe was named NCAC Coach of the Year for her exemplary work in the 2022-23 season.

Prior to UC, Kolbe spent three seasons at Western Kentucky University, where she helped lead the Lady Toppers to 78 total wins, two Conference USA Tournament Championships, and back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Other previous coaching stints included Mount Saint Mary's (2014-15), Eastern Kentucky (2008-14), and East Carolina (2002-08).

Kolbe began her intercollegiate coaching journey immediately following her senior year at Wittenberg as she joined the staff at NCAA Division II Valdosta State (GA) for the 99-00 and 00-01 seasons. She then made the jump to the NCAA Division 1 level for the 2001-02 season at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia.

Kolbe, who was named a team captain during her senior season at Wittenberg, remains fifth on the program's career field goal percentage list after knocking down 271-of-530 (.511) shot attempts during her four-year playing career in Springfield. She was also voted the team's Most Outstanding Player during the 1998-99 season and capped her senior campaign by receiving a first-team All-North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) nod. During her four-year career, she helped lead the Tigers to three NCAC Championships (96, 98 & 99), two NCAC Tournament Championships (96 & 98) and two appearances in the NCAA Tournament (96 & 98).