Familiar Face Named New Cleveland State Women's Basketball Coach

Bob Dunn returns to lead Vikings after stints as assistant and head coach elsewhere

Apr. 13, 2026 at 1:11pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented basketball game, with sharp, overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange, conveying the strategic complexity of coaching at the collegiate level.Dunn's return to the Cleveland State sideline aims to maintain the program's recent momentum through a fresh, innovative approach.Cleveland Today

Cleveland State University has named Bob Dunn as the new head coach of its women's basketball team. Dunn is a familiar face, having served as an assistant coach for the Vikings on two previous occasions, in addition to a one-year stint as the head coach at Miami University.

Why it matters

Dunn's hiring represents a return to stability for the Cleveland State women's basketball program after the departure of long-time head coach Chris Kielsmeier, who led the Vikings to significant success over the past eight seasons. Dunn's prior experience with the program and his reputation as a strong recruiter make him an appealing choice to build on the team's recent achievements.

The details

Dunn previously worked as an assistant coach for the Cleveland State women's basketball team from 2021-2023 and again in 2024-2025. In between those stints, he spent the 2023-2024 season as the head coach at Miami University. Most recently, Dunn was the head coach at Penn State for the 2025-2026 season. Cleveland State Athletic Director Kelsie Gory Harkey cited Dunn's familiarity with the Vikings program and his track record of success at the mid-major level as key factors in his hiring.

  • Dunn was an assistant coach for Cleveland State from 2021-2023.
  • Dunn was the head coach at Miami University during the 2023-2024 season.
  • Dunn returned as an assistant coach for Cleveland State from 2024-2025.
  • Dunn was the head coach at Penn State for the 2025-2026 season.
  • Dunn was named the new head coach of the Cleveland State women's basketball team in April 2026.

The players

Bob Dunn

The new head coach of the Cleveland State women's basketball team, with prior experience as an assistant and head coach at the mid-major level.

Chris Kielsmeier

The former head coach of the Cleveland State women's basketball team, who had a successful eight-year tenure with the Vikings before departing to become the new head coach at Texas State University.

Kelsie Gory Harkey

The Athletic Director at Cleveland State University, who was responsible for hiring Bob Dunn as the new head coach of the women's basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to welcome Bob Dunn back to Cleveland State. His familiarity with our program and proven track record of success at the mid-major level make him the ideal candidate to build on the momentum of our women's basketball team.”

— Kelsie Gory Harkey, Athletic Director, Cleveland State University

What’s next

Dunn will begin assembling his coaching staff and recruiting players to continue the Vikings' recent success on the court.

The takeaway

Dunn's return to Cleveland State represents a stabilizing move for the women's basketball program, as the university looks to maintain its competitive edge in the Mid-Major ranks by bringing back a familiar face with a proven track record of success.