Kuhar comes to Houghton from Drury University
HOUGHTON, Mich. – Michigan Technological University Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Suzanne Sanregretto announced Monday that Melissa Kuhar has been named the third head football coach in the program’s history. Kuhar takes the position at Houghton after serving as an assistant coach at Drury University for four seasons.
“We are excited to welcome Melissa to Michigan Tech,” Sanregret said. “She has been an assistant at the collegiate level for seven years and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. Her passion for mentoring student-athletes on and off the field will be a great fit for our program.”
“I am excited and honored to have been named the next head coach of Michigan Technological University football,” Kuhar said. “I would like to thank Suzanne Saint-Regret, Reece Edwards and the entire search committee for giving me this incredible opportunity.”
“From the moment I stepped onto campus and into the Houghton community, I knew this was the right fit for me. Michigan Tech’s academic and athletic reputation is among the highest, and I know I can help build something special here. I’m excited to work with a great group of student-athletes on and off the field. There’s a great sense of pride and community throughout the athletic department, and I can’t wait to become a part of the Husky family.”
“I would also like to thank my family and friends for their support over the years. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to my boss for the past eight years, Justin Olson. I would not be the coach I am today without his guidance. I am also extremely grateful to the players and staff who have been with me on my journey at Drury University. Thank you for believing in me.”
Kuhar served as an assistant coach under Head Coach Justin Olson and spent the past four seasons at Division II Institute Drury, which is part of the Great Lakes Valley Conference. She led the Panthers to a 39-18 record and 15 ties in four seasons, including a GLVC championship in 2021 and the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2007. That year, Olson and Kuhar were named the NCAA Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year.
She was also the head girls soccer coach at Greenwood High School in Springfield, leading the Blue Jays to the Missouri state semifinals, a third-place finish in Class 1 and a 16-4 record in her first season at Greenwood.
Prior to serving four seasons as an assistant coach at Drury University, Kuhar served as an assistant coach under Coach Olson for three years at Bethany College, where the Swedish teams compiled a record of 27 wins, 24 losses and four ties during their three years at Bethany. She also worked as a sports information assistant and an adjunct instructor in the Exercise Science Department.
Kuhar also coached at the high school level, coaching at Salina High School and St. Joseph High School where he helped St. Joseph reach the Indiana 3A State Semifinals.
Kuhar played collegiate soccer at St. Joseph’s University in Indiana, a former NCAA Division II GLVC affiliate school, from 2014-2016, graduating with a degree in sports management. He also holds a master’s degree in sports management from the American Public University System.
