RENO, Nev. Jane Albright, who has led teams to nine NCAA Tournament appearances and ranks among the winningest active Division I coaches, has been named the head coach of the University of Nevada women's basketball program, Director of Athletics Cary Groth announced Wednesday afternoon.
Albright brings 24 years of experience as a head coach to the University of Nevada and ranks in the top 50 nationally among active Division I women's basketball coaches in victories with a 397-311 career record. A four-time conference coach of the year and a two-time Women's Basketball Coaches Association District Coach of the Year, Albright comes to Nevada after spending the last five years at Wichita State University. She has revitalized programs at the University of Wisconsin and Northern Illinois University and is the winningest coach in each program's history.
"We are so fortunate to be able to bring on Jane Albright as our new women's head basketball coach. Her character and national reputation are absolutely remarkable," Groth said. "We had some tremendous finalists for the job, and each brought a different set of strengths. Our women's basketball program is poised to make a run at capturing conference championships - now and in the future. Jane's proven ability to take teams into the postseason is significant, and I am extremely confident she will provide the vision and leadership to get us there."
"I am elated and honored to be chosen as the 'leader of the Pack,'" Albright said. "Kim Gervasoni and her staff did an excellent job of creating the foundation for a bright future in women's basketball at the University of Nevada. On my interview, I was very impressed with the people, facilities and community support for Wolf Pack women's basketball, and I am looking forward to meeting the players and getting started as soon as possible."
While at Wichita State, Albright signed and coached the 2005 Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year. Her teams ranked in the top 60 nationally in attendance and turned in the top two single-game crowds in the MVC in her final two seasons. They also excelled in the classroom and the community, turning in the second-highest team GPA in school history and averaging over 450 hours of community service per year.
Albright is best known for the tremendous success she had in turning around the program at the University of Wisconsin. The winningest coach in Badger history with a 161-107 record (.600) from 1994-2003, Albright led Wisconsin to seven postseason appearances in nine seasons, including five trips to the NCAA Tournament. Her 1999 team was the runner-up in the Women's National Invitation Tournament, while the Badgers won the WNIT in 2000.
Prior to her arrival in Madison, the program had experienced losing seasons in nine of the previous 10 seasons, but Albright led the Badgers to eight consecutive winning seasons, including four 20-win campaigns. Her squads averaged 19.25 wins per year in those eight seasons, including three years with 21 victories, which matched the school record for single-season wins. Wisconsin had won 20 games in a season just twice prior to her arrival, while Albright was responsible for six of the best 10 seasons in Wisconsin history. She is also credited with helping Wisconsin rank in the top 10 in home attendance nationally in every year since 1995.
Albright led her first Badger team to a 20-9 record and was named the 1995 Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year for her efforts. The team set the school record for winning percentage with a 21-8 record in 1995-96, while Albright led the Badgers to a 16-1 start and the highest national ranking in school history in 2001-02 (No. 5 in the Associated Press poll and No. 7 in the USA Today/WBCA Coaches’ poll). She also coached 41 Academic All-Big Ten selections in her nine years at Wisconsin, the most of any school during that period.
Albright began her collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant to Pat Summitt at the University of Tennessee from 1981-83. She assisted with UT's first NCAA Final Four team in 1982. After Tennessee, she spent one season as an assistant coach at the University of Cincinnati in 1983-84 before earning her first opportunity as a head coach at Northern Illinois.
The winningest coach in Northern Illinois history with a 188-110 record in 10 years from 1984-94, Albright's Huskie squads turned in five 20-win seasons and four NCAA Tournament bids. Northern Illinois also won three conference championships and had three runner-up finishes during her tenure.
In addition to her collegiate success, Albright served as the head coach of USA Basketball's gold medal-winning Jones Cup team in 1996. She was an assistant coach on USA Basketball's Junior National team in 1992 and led the 1991 U.S. Olympic Festival South team to a gold medal.
"I want to thank Associate Director of Athletics Rory Hickok for running an outstanding search and express our appreciation to all of the university staff and community members who took the time to participate in this search process, which resulted in the University of Nevada hiring one of the top coaches in the nation," Groth said.
Albright's Honors & Accomplishments
- 2001-02 Naismith Coach of the Year finalist
- Ranks among the top 50 active Division I coaches in wins
- Winningest coach in school history at two programs (Wisconsin and Northern Illinois)
- Has led her teams to nine NCAA Tournament appearances
- Coached Wisconsin to the WNIT championship in 2000 and a runner-up finish in the WNIT in 1999
- Helped Wisconsin to the highest national ranking in school history in 2001-02 (top 10 in both polls)
- Head coach of the 1996 gold medal-winning USA Basketball Jones Cup Team
- Four-time conference coach of the year (Big Ten Conference in 1995, Mid-Continent Conference in 1993 and North Star Conference in 1989 & 1990)
- Two-time Women's Basketball Coaches Association District IV Coach of the Year (1990 & 1995)
What They Are Saying About Jane Albright
"I am very excited for Jane Albright...a longtime friend and colleague. Jane is a passionate teacher and a player's coach. I am confident that she will do a great job at the University of Nevada. Jane will bring great enthusiasm and energy to women's basketball at Nevada and will embrace the Reno community and fans."
- Pat Summitt, University of Tennessee women's basketball coach
"I applaud the hiring of Jane Albright at the University of Nevada. She has a vast skill set from many different experiences in the women's game. The University of Nevada has a very powerful combination in place with a seasoned coach and a supportive administration that 'gets' women's basketball and how to grow it from the inside out."
- Beth Bass, chief executive officer of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association
"Jane Albright will bring great experience, expertise and passion for winning to the University of Nevada. With Jane at the helm, the Wolf Pack will be poised to compete for conference championships. Jane Albright is one of the best in the game at creating a program that will excite fans and recruits."
- Deb Patterson, Kansas State University women's basketball coach
"Nevada is getting one of the most well-respected and well-liked coaches in the country. Jane is a passionate and caring individual who is committed to the total student-athlete experience. Jane has mentored countless young women, and her student-athletes have always excelled on the court and in the classroom as well as in the community. I am confident that she will continue to build a strong tradition with the Wolf Pack women's basketball program."
- Sue Semrau, Florida State University women's basketball head coach
"Jane Albright brings a total package to the University of Nevada. Jane is not only a basketball coach in terms of the X's and O's, but she brings a lot of enthusiasm and excitement about the game. She will interact with the community in such a positive way and be a positive role model for the players. She brings so much more than just being a basketball coach and will be involved in all areas of the program. She is a role model who is great for college athletics."
- Kay Yow, North Carolina State University women's basketball head coach
Press Conference Quotes
Rory Hickok Associate Athletic Dir./External Operations on new women’s basketball head coach Jane Albright:
“When Kim (Gervasoni) resigned, we knew we were going to be committed to our student-athletes in hiring a head coach. We are not going to go backwards we wanted to find the best national candidate and I think we have delivered. She is known around the country as a players coach.”
Jane Albright opening statement:
“I’m extremely humbled and honored to be here. The staff here has done a great job of attracting talent. This place is irresistible. What a beautiful camps and facility. The vision everybody has here is the same. I promise you this team will work as hard as you’ve ever seen.”
“Thanks to President Milton Glick and Athletics Director Cary Groth for the trust they and other people have put into hiring me.”
“People have put a lot of work and energy into this program. We’re going to have big dreams, help us make them come true.”
Albright on the first thing she wants to do as head coach:
“I’m going to meet the players and get to know them and meet with the three recruits we have coming in and get a staff. Making them understand we have talent here and get the players in a grove. And recruiting which will be going on at the same time.”
Albright on taking over an up-and-coming program:
“I have confidence in the kids and have high expectations. The players seem to have a great work ethic. This is certainly not a rebuilding team. This program is in a great place and I get to come in and reap the benefits.”
Albright on her team’s characteristics:
“It depends on the year. Overall I think its hard work, player to player defense, working hard and supporting each other. We’ll be fortunate to put the players in the community and be able to pack the stands.”
Albright on career accomplishment she is most proud of:
“My relationship with my players and staff. We’ve won big games which I can remember but I remember the people more than anything.”
Point guard Dellena Criner on Albright:
“She seems very positive and she is anxious to get us ready for this year. A lot of people seem to vouch for her and give her credit and she seems pretty successful.”
“She seems like a very successful coach. She is about to approach 400-plus wins and she has good relationships with players she has coached.”
Forward Bre`Anna Henry on the departure of Kim Gervasoni:
“Kim’s decision was tough for us. We’re going to miss her. She did what was best for her and she has to take care of herself and be happy.”
