April 18, 2007

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara women's basketball assistant coach Tanya Nash was named the new women's basketball head coach at the University of Minnesota-Duluth on Wednesday afternoon. It is the first head coaching job of Nash's coaching career after spending seven seasons as an assistant coach, the previous four at Santa Clara.

Nash, 32, succeeds interim head coach Dave Stromme, who oversaw a Bulldogs squad that went 15-14 (5-7 North Central Conference) in 2006-07. Minnesota-Duluth joined the NCC three seasons ago, and has made eight NCAA Division II Tournament appearances total, and six in the last nine years, most recently in 2004-05

"I am very excited about leading the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs, it is an incredible opportunity with a program that has a strong tradition in women's basketball," Nash said. "Minnesota-Duluth has the potential to be one of the best teams in the nation at the Division II level. I am anxious to get started."

Nash spent the previous four seasons as the top assistant coach on Michelle Bento-Jackson's staff at Santa Clara, and before that, spent three seasons as an assistant at Drake University, and one at her alma mater, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

At Santa Clara, she helped guide the Broncos to a West Coast Conference Tournament title and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2004-05, and to a West Coast Conference regular-season title and WNIT appearance in 2005-06. During the past four seasons, the Broncos were also one of the most prolific three-point shooting teams in the nation.

"Tanya has been a vital part of our coaching staff and to the success of our program these last four seasons, and while we are sad to see her go, we are excited for the opportunity she has earned at Minnesota-Duluth," said Santa Clara head coach Michelle Bento-Jackson. "We wish her the best of luck and know that she will lead the Bulldogs to success."

"I am so grateful to Michelle Bento-Jackson for the opportunity to be a part of the women's basketball program and the Bronco family for the past four years here," said Nash. "I can't say enough about my experiences here and the young ladies I have coached here. I will definitely miss everyone in the Santa Clara community."