GRAND FORKS, N.D. – North Dakota women's basketball head coach Dennis Hutter has completed his coaching staff for the 2026-27 season with the hiring of Hailey Hohenecker as the director of basketball operations for the Fighting Hawks.  
 
"We are excited to have Hailey join our staff," said Hutter. "She brings great energy, enthusiasm and passion for coaching and mentoring that will really help our team. Her professionalism and task attention makes her a great fit in our family."
 
Hohenecker comes to Grand Forks after one season as an assistant coach with the women's basketball program at Iowa Central Community College. The Tritons improved from a 7-21 overall record during the 2024-25 season to a 22-9 showing in the 2025-26 season, improving their conference win total by 13 games and ranking 18^th in the nation as a defense that allowed just 55.1 points per game. She helped lead player skill development, workouts and film and scouting sessions, operated team social accounts while organizing team travel logistics and assisted in fundraising opportunities alongside the head coach.
 
"I am very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the UND Women's Basketball program, culture and community," said Hohenecker. "I'm really excited to coach and learn under Coach Hutter. I look forward to continuing to support every student-athlete to strive to reach their full potential both on and off the basketball court."
 
Hohenecker also brings in a fount of camp experience dating back to 2018. She spent two summers assisting with the Providence Academy Girls' Basketball Camp while also adding in four summers of time as a Providence Academy Assistant Track and Field Camp Coordinator from 2019 to 2022. During her time with Iowa Central, Hohenecker played an integral part in running the Tritons' summer camps for both teams and the youth.
 
Prior to her coaching experience, Hohenecker spent five seasons playing collegiate basketball. She began her career in the 2020-21 season with the Tommies of St. Thomas before transitioning to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock for the next two seasons. Her final stop of play came at Chicago State University where she spent the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, was named the team's Most Valuable Player in 2024-25. Following her collegiate career, Hohenecker spent the summer of 2025 participating in the Eurobasket Summer League with Portugal.
 
A 2025 graduate of Chicago State in Chicago, Ill., Hohenecker earned her degree in business management with Magna Cum Laude honors.
 
For updates and information on North Dakota women's basketball, follow on social media @UNDwbasketball or visit FightingHawks.com.