College names new women's basketball head coach
Brian Wilson, associate head coach at the College of the Holy Cross, has been named women's basketball head coach at Connecticut College.
Wilson, a 2000 graduate of the University of Virginia, spent six years with the Crusader program in the Patriot League, handling the critical role of recruiting coordinator for the past five seasons. Wilson anticipates an exciting run for Connecticut College women's basketball and is looking forward to getting out on the hardwood and dueling with the nation's toughest teams in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC).
"Connecticut College has a strong history of academic and athletic achievement," Wilson said. "I hope to add to that legacy by taking the women's basketball program to a new level of competition."
At Holy Cross, Wilson's teams earned NCAA Tournament berths in 2005 and 2007, reaching the Patriot League Championship game for four consecutive years from 2005-2008. Wilson earned a reputation as an effective and tireless recruiter. In 2007, Wilson's recruiting class was recognized by the Blue Star Basketball Report in its honorable mention category. Wilson was responsible for recruiting Briana McFadden, the 2008 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year. In 2007, Wilson was elevated to the position of Associate Head Coach, becoming just the second coach at the college to hold that title in the past 24 years.
Prior to Holy Cross, Wilson spent two years in the Bluegrass State as a graduate assistant at Western Kentucky University. In 2003, the Hilltoppers captured the Sun Belt Conference Crown, securing a berth in the NCAA Championship. Wilson received his Master of Arts in History at WKU in 2006. At Connecticut College, Wilson will return to the NESCAC, the league that launched his coaching career. In 2000-2001, Wilson landed his first job at Williams College as an intern with the men's and women's programs.
Fran Shields, Connecticut College's Katherine Wenk Christoffers '45 Director of Athletics and chair of physical education, is impressed with Wilson's experience recruiting and developing talent at highly competitive academic institutions.
"Brian has a strong background recruiting and developing student-athletes capable of succeeding on and off the court," Shields said. "His experience in the Patriot League and the NESCAC will be an advantage as he begins to lead our program. We're all excited about the impact Brian will have on our student-athletes."
Emily Cummings, a rising senior co-captain and member of the NESCAC All-Academic Team, is looking forward to Wilson's arrival in New London.
"After meeting with Coach Wilson, the team is excited about the positive direction that he has in store for our program," Cummings said. "There seems to be a renewed sense of energy and enthusiasm about Connecticut College women's basketball."
Wilson replaces Laura Hungerford, who stepped down after eight seasons with the program.
In other athletics news, Connecticut College announced yesterday that Kenny Murphy, assistant soccer coach at Brown University, has been named men's soccer head coach. Murphy, a former professional soccer player, spent 16 years on Wall Street as a successful commodities broker before joining Brown's soccer program in 2003.
June 9, 2009
