LOGAN, Utah – Utah State head women's basketball coach Wesley Brooks announced on Monday the hiring of Anna Kowalska as the program's associate head coach and defensive coordinator.
 
"Anna brings us a veteran coaching and leadership presence having eight years of head coaching experience and having built programs from the ground up," Brooks said. "She can help us as we continue to elevate and reach towards winning conference championships here at Utah State. Anna also has a defensive philosophy and expertise that will allow us to become one of the top defensive teams in the conference. We look forward to having her and her intensity, grit and toughness as we move forward as a program."
 
Kowalska arrives in Logan after serving as the head women's basketball coach at Division-II Wheeling University in West Virginia. In her three years at the helm of the Cardinals, Kowalska recorded an overall record of 49-38 with a 37-25 record during conference play, qualifying for the Mountain East Conference (MEC) Tournament in all three seasons. Kowalska's players earned a total of five all-conference honors from the MEC, also guiding guard Kenzie Dalton to Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2024-25.
 
"I am honored to become the associate head coach of women's basketball at Utah State," Kowalska said. "This is an incredible opportunity and I am truly excited to begin this new chapter. I feel deeply thankful for the chance to learn from Wesley Brooks, a leader who is passionate about developing strong student-athletes and building a culture of excellence. This opportunity to work beside someone I respect and admire is truly special and I am excited for the journey ahead. I am grateful for the trust placed in me and cannot wait to contribute to the team's continued success on the court, in the classroom and in the community. Go Aggies!"
 
Prior to Wheeling, Kowalska spent one season as the head coach at Life University, leading the team to their most wins in three years and helping raise the team GPA from 2.2 to 3.3 in a single year.
 
Prior to taking the reins at Life, Kowalska spent eight seasons at West Virginia Tech, including her final three seasons as head coach. Kowalska compiled a 61-26 record for the Golden Bears and led the team to three straight NAIA Tournament appearances, the program's first Tournament appearances in history. West Virginia Tech earned two River States Conference regular season titles and two RSC Tournament titles under Kowalska. In addition, Kowalska's players earned six all-conference selections from the RSC and thrice earned NAIA All-American honorable mentions.
 
Before her head coaching career, Kowalska served as an assistant coach at West Virginia Tech during the 2013-2018 seasons, operating in numerous roles including recruiting coordinator, director of scouting, strength and conditioning, video coordinator, and player development.
 
Kowalska had a standout playing career at John A. Logan Junior College before playing her final two seasons at Kent State where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in Teaching English as a Second Language and a master's degree in Sports Administration. As a forward for the Golden Flashes, Kowalska twice earned all-MAC honors, being named to the third team as a junior and earning first-team honors as a senior. In her final year, Kowalska led KSU in points per game (16.1), rebounds per game (8.1), blocked shots per game (1.8), field-goal percentage (53.3), and free-throw percentage (75.4), while also reaching the 1,000-point club for her career. 
 
"I want to take a moment to thank Wheeling University for all the support, encouragement, and trust I have received throughout my time there," Kowalska said. "I am forever grateful to the student-athletes, coaches and the entire Wheeling community for welcoming me as part of the family. You have helped me grow professionally and personally, and I will carry those lessons with me always. While I am looking forward to joining the team at Utah State, I do so with great respect for where I have come from. This opportunity means to much to me, and I step into it with excitement, humility and gratitude."
 
A native of Zdunska Wola, Poland, Kowalska has also held positions such as assistant to the athletic director (six years) and head volleyball coach (three seasons) while at West Virginia Tech. She is married to Assistant Coach Nicholas Kjaerholt and they have two sons, Noah and Kylo.
 
Fans can follow USU women's basketball on Twitter, @USUWBasketball, on Instagram, @USUWBasketball, as well as on Facebook, at /USUWBB. Aggie fans can also follow Utah State Athletics on Twitter, @USUAthletics, on Instagram, @USUAthletics and on Facebook at /USUAthletics.
 
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