March 18, 2005
Release courtesty of Larry Happel, Central College sports information director

PELLA, IOWA . . . Mick Angel has resigned as Central College’s women’s basketball coach to accept a position as a guidance counselor.

Angel will be a counselor at Harlan High School.

Angel has piloted the Dutch for four seasons, compiling a 41-63 record. He also leads a freshman-year experience program at Central and previously was a high school guidance and at-risk counselor. Mick’s wife, Cathy, served as a volunteer assistant coach for the Dutch.

“To me, it’s a lifestyle decision,” Angel said. “It’s not a sudden decision. It’s something that we’ve talked about a lot and analyzed. I’ve just decided at this stage of my career to not continue coaching, at least for now. And we’re excited about a new opportunity.”

“We recognize that this was a very difficult decision for Mick and his family,” said athletics director Al Dorenkamp. “We certainly appreciate the loyalty, dedication and tireless efforts they have displayed over the past four years. Mick and Cathy have worked very hard. They’ve been tremendous assets to Central College and to the community and we wish them well in their future endeavors. They will be missed.”

Dorenkamp said the search for a replacement is underway.

“As always when we have an opening, this is an opportunity for Central to search for a new leader in our program who can help serve our student-athletes and attain new levels of achievement,” he said. “We’re committed to having a championship women’s basketball program at Central College and confident that we can attract an individual who can help us reach that goal.”
Central won the 1993 NCAA Division III women’s basketball title and has earned five NCAA playoff berths while winning or sharing six Iowa Conference crowns.

A highly successful high school coach, Angel compiled a 341-125 (.732) record over 21 high school seasons prior to joining Central’s staff. He piloted Carroll Kuemper High School to the 1998 Class 3A state girls’ basketball title and was named the state Class 3A coach of the year. From 1997-2000 he also led four girls’ AAU teams to state championships.

Angel, a University of Northern Iowa graduate, received his masters’ degree from Truman State University (Mo.). He was Turkey Valley High School’s head girls’ basketball coach from 1978-90. He served as athletics director at Howard-Winneshiek Community School in Cresco for a year, coached at Carroll Kuemper from 1992-98, making three state tourney trips, and at Charles City from 1998-2001.

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