The longest serving head coach of any sport in UW-Stout athletics history, Mark Thomas led the Blue Devil women’s basketball team over 31 seasons from 1987-2018, compiling an overall record of 472-346, the most wins of any UW-Stout basketball coach. Thomas took over a women’s basketball program in 1987 that had won only two games over the previous two seasons and turned the Blue Devils into a national power. During Thomas’ tenure, the Blue Devils won five conference regular season championships and four tournament titles. Thomas received NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year recognition in 2005 and 2006 and was named the conference Coach of the Year six times. In 2005, the Blue Devils posted a 24-7 record – the most wins in program history – and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division III Championship. Thomas coached 10 different teams into the national tournament. Throughout his career, Thomas coached 47 players that earned all-conference recognition. Thomas was an assistant baseball coach for 21 seasons and was an assistant softball coach for one season. Thomas will begin his 30th season as a Blue Devil assistant football coach this fall.