Head coach Brenda Frese welcomed former staff member Danielle Hemerka back to the Maryland women’s basketball program this week in a new role, as the director of scouting and player development.
Hemerka spent three seasons with the Terrapins from 2008 through 2011 as the assistant to the recruiting coordinator before heading across town as an assistant coach at American University. While at Maryland, she helped the Terps to the 2009 ACC Championship, an Elite Eight and an overall record of 76-26.
“We’re excited to welcome Danielle back to our Maryland family,” Frese said. “Danielle is a familiar face to a lot of people close to our program. She worked here with us right out of college and learned how we operate. She has a tremendous amount of experience and she knows exactly what I want as a head coach. Danielle has a magnetic personality combined with a great work ethic and bright mind. What a huge addition to our team and program to have her back."
“Being part of a Final Four program and now a program in the Big Ten is an awesome opportunity,” Hemerka said. “I’m incredibly thankful to be back on Coach Frese’s staff. It’s great to return to Maryland and hopefully bring some of the experiences I’ve gained in the last few years. I’m definitely looking forward to this season.”
Hemerka was with the Eagles for two years and served as their recruiting coordinator. She played a key role in American’s 23-8 season in 2011-12, which included the Patriot League’s first-ever 14-0 regular season. AU’s 23 wins matched a program record and the Eagles earned a berth in the WNIT.
Most recently, she was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Saint Francis (Pa.) for the 2013-14 season. The Red Storm made a run to the Northeast Conference Tournament championship game to end the season.
Hemerka graduated from Davidson in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She made 119 overall appearances and started 108 games in her four-year career. She was team captain in her senior season, and graduated as the only student-athlete in program history to record 1,000 points, 700 rebounds, 200 assists, and 150 steals in her career. Hemerka helped lead the Wildcats to a 77-43 overall record in her four years, including a 23-9 campaign in the 2006-07 season in which they earned the program’s first-ever postseason bid.
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