Dec. 4, 2009
Hall of Famer Anne Donovan (ODU '83) has been named head coach of the New York Liberty, it was announced today by team President and General Manager Carol Blazejowski. As per team policy, terms of the contract were not released.
"There's no question that Anne is one of the most respected coaches in our game. Her experience and leadership skills as both a player and a coach will be invaluable as we battle to get the franchise back to its proper place at the top of the WNBA," said Blazejowski.
After taking over as the Liberty's interim head coach halfway through the 2009 season, Donovan compiled a 7-10 overall record. A Ridgewood, New Jersey native, she is the fourth head coach of the franchise. She joined New York as an assistant coach on April 28, 2009.
"I am very excited to be returning to the Liberty and look forward to the challenges that lie ahead and have confidence that our team will be back on track next summer," said Donovan.
Donovan is one of the most accomplished female players and coaches in basketball history. She was a Naismith Award winner and three-time All-American selection as a player at Old Dominion and won gold medals with the 1984 and 1988 U.S. Olympic teams. She served as an assistant coach in the 1998 and 2004 Olympics, helping the U.S. capture gold medals both times.
In 2008, Donovan coached the U.S. Women's National team to gold in the Beijing Olympics. She began her WNBA career with the Indiana Fever as the interim head coach in 2000, followed by head coaching positions with the Charlotte Sting (2001-2002) and the Seattle Storm (2003-2007). In Seattle, she compiled a 93-77 record with four post-season berths, including the 2004 WNBA Championship title.
Donovan was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995. She was one of the twenty-six inductees in the inaugural class of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999. She was also inducted into the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Famein October.