Three years as associate head coach followed by two weeks as interim head coach, Chelsey Gregg can drop all modifiers now as she takes over as head coach of the Portland State women’s basketball team, athletic director Valerie Cleary announced Friday.
“After a competitive national search, my initial gut stayed true. Coach Gregg has played a pivotal role in the development of our Big Sky Championship women’s basketball program,” Cleary said of Gregg. “With her recruiting of high-caliber student-athletes and passion for the game, I Iook forward to her putting her stamp on Viking women’s basketball. I am delighted for her to step in to a head coaching role and continue to build on the strong program we have on the Park Blocks.”
Gregg takes over the program after spending the previous six years with the Vikings as a member of former head coach Lynn Kennedy’s staff. Gregg started as an assistant coach under Kennedy, before being elevated to associate head coach before the 2018-19 season.
Gregg’s first year as associate head coach brought with it a Big Sky tournament title for the Vikings, as the team advanced to the NCAA tournament for only the second time in Division I program history. Additionally, the 2018-19 Vikings set Big Sky-era program records for overall wins (25) and conference wins (14).
“I’m extremely excited and honored for the opportunity to be the next head coach at Portland State University,” Gregg said of her hiring. “I want to thank President Percy, Val and the rest of the committee for their tireless efforts throughout this hiring process. I’d also like to thank Lynn Kennedy for his mentorship and laying down a championship foundation here at PSU.
“To our team, thank you for your dedication and commitment to our program throughout this process. I can’t wait to get back to work! Go Viks!”
March runs have been common during Gregg’s time on the Park Blocks. The Vikings are 9-5 at the Big Sky tournament over the previous six seasons. Besides the 2018-19 tournament title, Gregg helped lead the Vikings to the Big Sky tournament semifinals in 2017 and 2018, and made the quarterfinals in 2020 and 2021.
Gregg has also led several individual players to accolades as the team’s primary guards coach the past six seasons. Ashley Bolston was named the MVP of the 2019 Big Sky tournament after leading the Vikings to the title. Sidney Rielly, meanwhile, made the All-Big Sky first team that same season, becoming the first Viking to make the first team since Eryn Jones during the 2010-11 season.
Kylie Jimenez and Desirae Hansen also made the All-Big Sky third team following each of the past two seasons, while Jimenez was named the Big Sky Freshman of the Year following the 2017-18 season.
Gregg will be a first-time head coach when the Vikings open the 2021-22 season. Before joining the Vikings, Gregg served on Kennedy’s staff at Southern Oregon where she was a player for Kennedy, as well, from 2005-08. Gregg also coached as an assistant at what was then the University of Great Falls (now the University of Providence) for four seasons in between her time as a player and a coach at Southern Oregon.
Off the court, Gregg’s family has grown during her time on the Park Blocks. Gregg and assistant coach Keithan Gregg got engaged and married during their time coaching for the Vikings, and the pair welcomed a baby boy, Oliver, during the Vikings’ 2019-20 season.
Details for an introductory press conference will be announced soon.
https://goviks.com/news/2021/4/16/WBB_20210416.aspx
Tagged with: Big Sky Portland State
