- Press Conference Video
- Press Conference Transcript
- Player Quotes
- Photo Gallery
- What they are saying about Coquese Washington
| Coquese Washington was introduced as the fifth women's basketball coach in Penn State history at a press conference today. Washington comes to Happy Valley after eight years as an assistant coach at Notre Dame, including the last two as the associate head coach. |
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA.; April 23, 2007 ?? Coquese Washington, who helped lead Notre Dame to the 2001 NCAA Championship, has been named the fifth head coach of the Penn State women??s basketball program, Tim Curley, Director of Athletics, announced today.
"Penn State is very fortunate to have landed a rising star in the coaching ranks," Curley stated. "We are thrilled to have Coquese taking over the leadership of the women's basketball program. Coquese has competed and coached at the highest level of both college and professional basketball. She is an outstanding coach and recruiter who has developed highly-accomplished student-athletes and been instrumental in winning a national championship. We are excited and ready to help Coquese put Penn State in contention to win Big Ten and national championships."
??I am ecstatic to be here. It is an awesome opportunity to come into a program that has such a rich tradition,?? Washington said. ??I believe all of the tools are in place for this program to continue to be successful. I just feel with the players, the administration support and the fan support that we will do great things.??
Washington recently completed her second season as the associate head coach of the Fighting Irish after six seasons as an assistant coach under Muffet McGraw. During Washington??s eight seasons on the bench, Notre Dame amassed a 188-69 record with eight NCAA Tournament appearances, including four Sweet Sixteen runs.
One of the top recruiters in the country, Washington has been instrumental in helping the Irish to secure eight consecutive Top 25 recruiting classes, according to Blue Star Index, a feat only accomplished by two other programs in the country (Connecticut and Tennessee). In addition to recruiting, Washington served as the academic liaison and was also responsible for developing Notre Dame??s non-conference schedule and assisting with scouting reports and practice planning.
During her tenure at Notre Dame, Washington coached and developed five All-Americans and had seven players that were drafted into the WNBA. Washington, in her role as the guards coach, was directly responsible for developing three All-Americans and two Frances Naismith Pomeroy Award winners for the nation??s top player 5-8 or under, including Niele Ivey and Megan Duffy. Washington also directed Alicia Ratay, who is the NCAA??s career three-point field goal percentage leader.
??This is a tremendous opportunity for Coquese, and all of us -- players, coaches and staff -- are very excited for her,?? Notre Dame head coach Muffet McGraw said. ??She will be extremely successful in State College, and I'm confident the [Lady] Lion players and fans are going to love to have her leading their program. Penn State has a bright future with Coquese as its head coach and we all look forward to following their progress in the coming years.??
Washington, a 1992 graduate of Notre Dame, was a four-year starting point guard under McGraw and was the team captain on Notre Dame??s first-ever NCAA Tournament team. Washington is first on ND??s all-time steals per game list (2.7), second in career steals (307) and fifth in assists (554).
After graduating from Notre Dame with a degree in history, Washington went on to earn her law degree from Notre Dame in 1997. She returned to the court as a professional in 1997-98, playing for the ABL??s Portland Power, before beginning a two-year stint with the WNBA??s New York Liberty (1998-99). Washington moved on to Houston for the 2000 season, where she played an instrumental role in leading the Comets to the WNBA title. She spent the 2001 and part of the 2002 season with the Comets and Hall of Fame coach Van Chancellor, before finishing her professional career in 2003 with the Indiana Fever.
Utilizing her law degree, Washington was a central figure in helping create the WNBA Players Association (WNBPA), serving as the founding president of the WNBPA from 1999 until 2001. She also served as the Executive Vice President of the WNBPA from 2001 until her retirement in 2003. Washington led negotiations for the association's first collective bargaining agreement as the association??s president, and as the executive vice president was a mainstay in the negotiations for the current collective bargaining agreement, which brought about the first free agency system in women??s professional sports.
A native of Flint, Mich., Washington and her husband, Raynell Brown, have a son, Quenton (2).
Coquese Washington at a Glance
Full name: Coquese (ko-KWEES) M. Washington
Husband: Raynell Brown
Children: Quenton (2)
Hometown: Flint, Mich.
Education: University of Notre Dame, 1992
Univ. of Notre Dame Law School, 1997
Playing Experience
- University of Notre Dame, 1989-93
- Portland Power (ABL), 1997-98
- New York Liberty (WNBA), 1998-99
- Houston Comets (WNBA), 2000-02
- Indiana Fever (WNBA), 2002-03
Coaching Experience
- Associate Head Coach, University of Notre Dame, 2005-07
- Assistant Coach, University of Notre Dame, 1999-05
Career Highlights
- Helped guide Notre Dame to the 2001 NCAA Championship.
- Position coach for three All-Americans and two Frances Pomeroy Award winners.
- Eight consecutive recruiting classes ranked in the Top 25 nationally.
- Notre Dame had four Sweet Sixteen appearances and eight NCAA Tournament berths during Washington??s tenure.
- Point guard for the 2000 WNBA Champion Houston Comets.
- Founding President, WNBA Players Association, 1999-01.
- Executive Vice President, WNBA Players Association, 2001-03.
- Actively pursued a collective bargaining agreement for the WNBPA, establishing the first agreement, as well as the current deal.
- Three-time team captain as a player at Notre Dame.