University of Richmond Vice President and Director of Athletics John Hardtannounced a change in the leadership of the Spider women’s basketball program as head coach Michael Shafer will not be retained. A national search for Shafer’s successor will begin immediately.
“We would like to thank Michael Shafer for his hard work and dedication to our university and the Spider women’s basketball program during the past 14 years,” Hardt said. “We appreciate everything he and his family had done for our program, and we wish him the best in all of his future endeavors.”
Shafer is the second-longest tenured coach in Richmond women’s basketball history and produced a 223-214 record in his 14 seasons at the helm. His 223 wins ranks first all-time in program history for wins. He guided the Spiders to six WNIT appearances in his tenure with the last appearance coming in 2015.
“It has been an honor to lead the Richmond women’s basketball program the past 14 years,” Shafer said. “I am grateful for my time at the University of Richmond and the countless student-athletes, staff and fans I have worked with and interacted with during my time. Richmond is a special place and it has been a great honor to lead our women’s basketball student-athletes, on and off the court.”
Shafer led the Spiders to three seasons of 20-plus wins in his career, including a career-best 24-10 record in 2008-09. The Spiders have posted four-straight years with a record under .500. This year, Richmond is coming off a 9-21 mark, the lowest win total for the Spiders since the 1985-86 season (seven).
Photo Courtesy Richmond Athletics
Tagged with: A-10 Richmond
