Petersen brings a wealth of coaching knowledge to Dream staff
ATLANTA – The Atlanta Dream has named Mike Petersen as an assistant coach, announced head coach Nicki Collen Thursday. Per team policy, terms of Petersen’s contract are not disclosed.
Petersen brings a wealth of basketball knowledge to the Dream. A former women’s basketball head coach at North Texas, Wake Forest, Gonzaga, New Mexico State and TCU, Petersen has over 300 career wins leading programs. Most recently, he served as an advanced scout for the New Orleans Pelicans of the NBA.
“I am thrilled to welcome Mike and his wife Patty to the Atlanta Dream,” Collen said. “In searching for the right balance on my staff, I was looking for someone with a head coaching background. From our very first conversation I knew Mike’s combination of passion, experience, and engaging personality were the right fit for me and our organization.
As head coach at Wake Forest, Petersen won 125 games and was the program’s all-time winningest coach. Prior to joining the Demon Deacons, Petersen served five years on the Minnesota Gophers men’s basketball staff, including four years as associate head coach.
“Mike has had great success as a head coach and assistant coach on the women’s and men’s side in the collegiate game at many levels,” Collen added. “He is a great offensive mind but above that his energy and enthusiasm for the game are what separated him from other candidates.”
“I am delighted and excited to have the opportunity to join Nicki’s staff,” Petersen said. “I look forward to the chance to work for Nicki and with the talented players in the Atlanta Dream organization and help to build a championship team in Atlanta. I would like to thank Coach Collen, Chris Sienko and Theresa Wenzel for their invitation to join the Atlanta Dream family.”
Before moving into the coaching ranks, Petersen enjoyed a stellar college playing career. He began at the College of the Redwoods in Eureka, Calif. After two seasons, he transferred to Northwest Christian College, an NAIA school in Eugene, Ore. He was inducted in to the Northwest Christian College inaugural athletics Hall of Fame in 2007.
Petersen and his wife, Patty, have two sons, Riley and Jake.
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