AMHERST, N.Y. - Daemen College Director of Athletics Bridget Niland announced today that the contract of Head Women's Basketball Coach David Skolen will not be renewed for the 2016-17 season, and the College will immediately begin a national search for its next head coach.
 
"I first and foremost want to thank coach Skolen for his long history of dedication to Daemen College, first as a student-athlete, later as a coach and administrator, and most recently as the full-time leader of our women's basketball program," Niland said.  "I have no doubt about the impact he has had in the lives of so many of our Daemen student-athletes throughout the years, and the significance of that impact is immeasurable.  Coach Skolen did a commendable job in building a successful program at the NAIA level, and we are looking forward to finding a coach who can build the program to a similar amount of success, now at the NCAA Division II level."

Skolen led the team to a 436-218 record from 1992-2013 during the program's tenure as an affiliate of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).  But, the Wildcats have gone just 31-50 since beginning to play a full NCAA Division II schedule in conjunction with the program's ascent to that level of competition, including a 20-40 mark in East Coast Conference play.  Daemen finished 9-17 overall and 7-13 in the ECC this past season.

Assistant coaches Patrick Burke and Alanna Laguerre will handle the day-to-day operations of the program until such time as a qualified candidate for the head coach position is selected.