The University of Denver men’s basketball program has named former Macalester College (NCAA DIII) head coach Abe Woldeslassie an assistant coach, new DU head coach Tim Bergstraser announced on April 24.
“Abe is going to have an immediate impact at the University of Denver,” Bergstraser said. “He is coming from a prestigious academic school that aligns with DU’s standards. Abe is extremely connected across the nation and will help us bring a wide network of players. His head coaching experience and professionalism will be a major asset for this program and I can’t wait for him to hit campus.”
Woldeslassie has been a head coach at his Division III alma mater in the last seven seasons at Macalester inside the Summit League footprint. Taking over a program that had won just 35 games in the previous 10 seasons prior to his arrival, Woldeslassie nearly doubled that total, recording 66 wins at the Saint Paul, Minnesota institution.
In 2021-22, his squad finished 15-13 and were the first six seed in MIAC history to reach the conference’s title game. The following season, the Scots finished 15-11 and earned fourth in the MIAC, the program’s best record and best conference finish since the 2003-04 campaign. The 15 wins in both seasons are the program’s third-most in its 40-year history. Woldeslassie was named the D3Hoops.com Region 9 Coach of the Year after the 2021-22 campaign.
“It is an honor to join Tim Bergstraser's staff and the strong community at the University of Denver,” Woldeslassie said. “DU is a special institution that offers a transformative academic and athletic experience. I am excited to work with all of DU to help build a winning program in the Mile High City.”
Prior to taking his first head coaching post, Woldeslassie spent two seasons as an assistant at Siena, helping the Saints reach the MAAC Championship Game in 2017.
Woldeslassie's first DI experience came in the Director of Operations role at Dartmouth (2012-13) and Davidson (2013-16). In all three seasons at Davidson, the Wildcats posted 20-win campaigns and advanced to national postseason tournaments. The Wildcats totaled 64 wins, earned two conference regular season titles, made two NIT appearances and earned the program’s first at-large bid to March Madness in 2015.
The first stint in college coaching for Woldeslassie saw him spend two seasons as an assistant at Bowdoin College, a Division III school in Brunswick, Maine.
Woldeslassie started his coaching career at the post-grad and AAU levels. He spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Impact Basketball Academy, located in Las Vegas, Nevada. He also held a head coaching position at the Basketball Training Institute in Pasadena, California.
In his playing career, Woldeslassie spent two seasons at Macalester after transferring from St. Thomas. Woldeslassie was a two-time All-MIAC guard and led the conference in assists both seasons. In his 50 career games, Woldeslassie averaged 17.2 points and 5.4 dimes.
A native of Minneapolis, Woldeslassie attended St. Thomas Academy, where he was an all-conference player and team co-MVP in 2004. He also serves on the Board of Directors for MinneapolisNEXT, which provides need-based high school scholarships for youth in the Twin Cities.
Woldeslassie’s College Coaching Career
2018-25 – Head Coach – Macalester College
2016-18 – Assistant Coach – Siena College
2013-16 – Director of Basketball Operations – Davidson College
2012-13 – Director of Basketball Operations – Dartmouth College
2010-12 - Assistant Coach - Bowdoin College
