Minnesota athletic director Mark Coyle announced Thursday the University has hired Lindsay Whalen as the next women’s basketball coach. Whalen, the former Gophers star, holds the team record for points, is second all-time in assists, and third all-time in steals.
Marlene Stollings announced Monday she was leaving for the same position at Texas Tech. It didn’t take long for athletic director Mark Coyle to find his replacement. He has swung for the fences after hiring someone with this type of basketball pedigree.
Whalen led the the Gophers to their only Final four appearance in 2004. She is currently a point guard for the Minnesota Lynx and will play the upcoming season, pending Board of Regents approval. She has led the Lynx to four WNBA Championships, while winning the most games in WNBA history.
The Gophers have hired one of the best athletes to ever wear the maroon and gold. Her wide range of experience in basketball will help her adapt to coaching for the first time. The Hutchinson, Minn. native will have the chance to coach her hometown team and alma mater. She certainly will provide name recognition for recruiting and has a brand new women’s basketball facility to work with.