Michigan Tech women’s basketball coach Sam Clayton draws up a play during a timeout of a Huskies game. (Photo courtesy Michigan Tech University)

HOUGHTON — The Michigan Tech women’s basketball team will be in search of a new head coach.

After a successful eight seasons with the Huskies, head coach Sam Clayton has resigned her position, the university announced on Tuesday.

Curiously in a Tuesday MTU Sports Information press release about the news, the university didn’t indicate what her next job would be, only that it was “to pursue a head coaching opportunity at another institution.”

That may be due to Clayton not officially being named to her next job until the following day.

An internet Google search under her name and “coaching” shows Clayton is headed to NCAA Division III Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, Wisconsin, and that the university made its announcement late Wednesday morning.

While Clayton, 35, played collegiately at Tech from 2009-13, she is from Arkansaw, Wisconsin, located about 20 miles south of Menomonie.

She will be moving to western Wisconsin with her husband Cameron and their three children.

Clayton, who began coaching in Houghton in 2018, compiled a 138-88 overall record for a .611 winning percentage, also going a nifty 99-54 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

She was named GLIAC Coach of the Year in 2021 after the Huskies won the GLIAC North Division and league tournament and advanced to the NCAA Division II tourney regional semifinals, the first of two straight appearances in the national event.

She coached 19 All-GLIAC selections, including seven making the First Team and Ellie Mackay named GLIAC Player of the Year.

In her playing days for MTU, she was a team captain, named to the GLIAC First Team and was a two-time WBCA All-America honorable mention. She also ranks eighth on Tech’s all-time scoring list with 1,434 points, along with top-10 rankings in at least four other categories.

“I thank Sam for her dedication, leadership, and the tremendous impact she has made on our program,” Michigan Tech Vice President for Athletics Suzanne Sanregret said in the MTU release. “She has poured her heart into this team, and we are truly grateful for all the hard work and passion she brought every single day. While we are sad to see her go, we fully respect her decision to make the move that is best for her and her family.

“We will begin a national search immediately to identify our next head coach — someone who will continue to build on our success, elevate the program and truly embody the values of Michigan Tech women’s basketball.”

Clayton also cited moving closer to her roots.

“After careful consideration, I have decided to accept a coaching opportunity closer to home,” Clayton said in the MTU release. “I am incredibly grateful for my time with this program — the players, staff, administration and community have made a lasting impact on me both professionally and personally.

“Ultimately, this move allows me to be closer to my family, which is something that has become increasingly important at this stage of my life.”

Riley Zayas of the internet Substack site D3 Women’s Basketball Scoop mentioned that UW-Stout just lost its coach, Hannah Iverson, as she took a position at nearby Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Stout, which can return more than 80% of its scoring from this past season’s team, reached the Division III Final Four two years ago.

Story contents based on Michigan Tech University Sports Information press release reviewing the news. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.