The 11th head coach in the history of University of Minnesota Golden Gophers women’s basketball is Marlene Stollings, athletics director Norwood Teague announced today.
Stollings spent the last two years at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she guided the Rams to a 33-29 record. Before joining VCU, Stollings enjoyed a one-year stint at Winthrop University where she led the women’s basketball team to just its second winning season in 26 years.
“Marlene Stollings is one of the most respected young coaches in the country and we are thrilled to have her leading the Minnesota women’s basketball program,” Teague said in a statement, via GopherSports.com. “Her up-tempo style, ability to recruit the nation’s best talent and successful track record are undeniable. I am excited for our student-athletes and fans, as Marlene will bring an energetic style of basketball to Williams Arena.”
Stollings said she is “extremely proud” to become Minnesota’s new women’s coach and she believes in her “vision for the future” of the program.
The future Stollings is referring to likely includes an offense that will pile up the points.
She implemented an up-tempo offense at VCU that reached a team-record 112 points twice during the 2013-14 season. The Rams also set school records by hitting 235 3-pointers and averaging 75.8 points per game. Winthrop set 40 team records during her one-year stint at the school.
Her coaching career began in 2000 as an assistant coach at Jacksonville University. She’s also enjoyed assistant coaching jobs at New Mexico State, Saint Louis, Wright State and Ole Miss.
She replaces longtime Minnesota head coachPam Borton, who was fired following Minnesota’s second-round loss to South Dakota State in the National Invitation Tournament. Stollings and Virginia Commonwealth lost in the first round of the NIT, according to MN Daily.
