After a decade guiding Seton Hill University women’s basketball, head coach Mark Katarski will shift to a new role within the Griffins athletic department. He will serve as the Associate Athletic Director for Internal Relations.

As a result, Katarski’s assistant for the past two seasons, Maeve Gallagher, has been promoted as the head coach of the program.

"I have been paid to coach basketball since August of 1997 as a middle school girls basketball coach at Derry Area, so it certainly wasn't a decision I made lightly,” Katarski stated. “The overriding thought was that it afforded me an opportunity to potentially have a positive impact on a larger number of student-athletes at a university I am incredibly fond of, and I couldn't pass that up."

Katarski enjoyed considerable success during his 10 years on the sidelines for SHU, as he helped guide the Griffins to the PSAC postseason for nine consecutive campaigns with an overall record of 147-120. In the process, he garnered Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Coach of the Year honors. He also frequently oversaw a program that was recognized for academic achievement, including special mention on the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Division II Academic Top 25 this year.

Last season, the Griffins went 18-14 overall, including 11-11 in PSAC play. Seton Hill qualified for the conference tournament, falling at Edinboro in the opening round.

"I don't think I had a true reflection until we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the start of women's basketball here at Seton Hill a year ago. It really helped me understand that I was just a caretaker of the program, and I hope that we helped our athletes have a positive experience, and made our alumni proud," Katarski revealed.

Prior to Seton Hill, Katarski was an assistant at Niagara University for two seasons. His previous coaching stints included guiding Chatham University for six years, and serving as an assistant at the University of Pitt-Greensburg for five seasons.

Katarski resides in Hempfield Township with wife Hadara and their two daughters – Jaela, who is 10, and Mara, who is 8.

Gallagher, meanwhile, boasts a myriad of experience as a coach and player. Prior to her time next to Katarski on the Griffins’ bench, she was an assistant for five campaigns between two stints under head coach Jina DeRubbo at Washington & Jefferson College. Gallagher also spent one season as an assistant at Division I Longwood University.

As a student athlete, Gallagher competed in basketball, soccer, and softball at Point Park University.

"Two things I've learned in life is that you are never ready to be either a parent or a head coach, but no one would be more qualified or prepared than Maeve Gallagher,” Katarski noted. “She has been preparing for this since she could barely walk - watching her father coach - and has earned this opportunity through her experience and efforts. She engrossed herself in the Seton Hill community over the past two years, and I believe she will use that to help guide herself and the team in their journey."