"Coquese has been a big part of our tradition of success here at Notre Dame. Having played for us, she understands our system and knows what we're trying to accomplish. The success she has had in developing our guards is well-known, including numerous All-Americans, All-BIG EAST selections and two Frances Pomeroy Naismith winners. As we have come to realize in the past couple of years with the advancement of Kevin McGuff (Xavier) and Carol Owens (Northern Illinois), it is hard to keep such talented assistants from moving into head coaching positions and we're grateful we had the chance to enjoy Coquese's abilities for as long as we did.
This is a tremendous opportunity for Coquese, and all of us -- players, coaches and staff -- are very excited for her. 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."
Notre Dame head coach Muffet McGraw
"Coquese Washington is a great fit for Penn State. She has a bubbling enthusiastic personality that will really appeal to recruits. The Penn State community will just love her. I have no doubt in my mind that she will do a great job."
Van Chancellor
LSU women's basketball head coach
Houston Comets head coach (1997-06)
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member
"Coquese Washington played for me in New York. She was a very good point guard. Very aggressive, a very smart, intelligent player. That's why I think she'll be a very good coach. The point guards are your coaches on the floor. They have to direct the offense. They have to have a better understanding of the game then the rest of the people on the floor. She was at Notre Dame where I'm sure she learned a great deal. I think she'll be able to recruit. She's intelligent, she has a nice personality, so I think that was a perfect selection."
Richie Adubato
Washington Mystics head coach (2007)
New York Liberty head coach (1999-03)
"I am very happy for Coquese and I think she will do a great job at Penn State. She is a Notre Dame lifer and has a sense of what tradition means to a university and a program. She is very respectful of the tradition that Rene has built at Penn State and will continue to grow that tradition and the program. I am very happy for her."
Angie Potthoff
Notre Dame assistant coach
Former Lady Lion standout (1993-97)
"Coquese has been my mentor ever since I met her and I had the pleasure of playing for her at Notre Dame and with her as members of the Indiana Fever. She is just a tremendous person and a coach. She is like a sister to me and I am so happy for her. Penn State has made a great decision in hiring Coquese to take over the program."
Niele Ivey
Notre Dame women's basketball player (1996-01)
2001 Frances Naismith Pomeroy Award Winner
"Coquese is without a doubt one of the finest coaches in the country when it comes to developing the total player. She understands what it takes to be successful and how to get the most out of you every day. She was very instrumental in my personal growth as a player and a person, and I consider myself tremendously blessed to have had her as a coach. I know she is going to do great things at Penn State, and it won't be limited to her work on the court. The way she and her players will represent that program, the University and the community as a whole will be pure class."
Megan Duffy
Notre Dame women's basketball player (2002-06)
2006 Frances Naismith Pomeroy Award Winner
Member of the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx
"Coquese not only has great knowledge of the game and championship experience as a player (WNBA-Houston) but what makes her unique is how she is able to impart that knowledge and motivate the players that she works with."
Ruth Riley
Notre Dame women's basketball player (1997-01)
2001 Naismith National Player of the Year
Member of the WNBA's San Antonio Silver Stars
"Penn State made a terrific decision in the hiring of Coquese Washington. She is one of the young bright stars in the coaching profession and it will be exciting to witness the Lady Lions reestablish themselves as an elite program."
Kevin McGuff
Xavier women's basketball head coach
Notre Dame women's basketball assistant coach (1996-02)
"I think it's a tremendous hire for Penn State. They got a great person and a great coach. Working with her, I've learned so much from her. I think we've helped each other along the way. I think Penn State is on its way to very good things and the kids should be very thankful to have somebody like her."
Carol Owens
Northern Illinois women's basketball head coach
Notre Dame women's basketball assistant coach (1995-05)
"When I was a WNBA teammate of Coquese Washington, it was obvious that she was going to be a successful coach one day. Her work ethic, knowledge of the game, and rapport with teammates were unmatched. She is exactly the type of person we need teaching young women the game of basketball."
Rebecca Lobo
Former WNBA Player (1997-03)
Women's basketball television analyst
"Coquese has a great deal of knowledge and experience for the game of basketball. However, her strength lies in the love, passion and respect she has for the game. I have every confidence she will do a fantastic job at Penn State University."
Cynthia Cooper
Former WNBA Player (1997-00)
Phoenix Mercury head coach (2001-02)