March 23, 2012

ROCHESTER, Mich. - Katie Trolla has decided to step away from her position as an assistant coach on the Oakland women's basketball staff, head coach Beckie Francis announced on Friday. Trolla, who also played at OU, is leaving to pursue personal opportunities outside of coaching, in order to spend more time with her family.

Trolla was involved in player development, scouting, and camps. During her time on the bench, the Golden Grizzlies won the 2006 Summit League Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in school history.

"I understand Katie choosing her family over the coaching profession and I support her decision," said Francis. "There is no way to replace Katie. I've known her since 1997, when she was my first recruit to Oakland. As a player and coach we've won five league championships together and she will be missed."

The Golden Grizzlies also won the 2006-07 Summit League regular-season title and advanced to the Women's National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) in both 2007 and 2009. The Golden Grizzlies advanced to the league title game four times during her tenure.

"Oakland has been my `home' since 1998," said Trolla. "It was a great place to be a student-athlete and a wonderful place to work. Oakland Basketball has meant the world to me and it's hard to step away but I'm looking forward to spending more time with my son, Lincoln, and my husband, Joe."

-OAKLAND-