Franklin Pierce University Director of Athletics Bruce Kirshhas announced Jeanette Wedo has been named the 14th head coach of the University’s women’s basketball program. Wedo has spent the previous 10 seasons as an assistant coach at three different Division I institutions and comes to Rindge after a three-year stint at The College of William & Mary.
“I am excited and eager for the opportunity to begin my career as a head women’s basketball coach at Franklin Pierce University,” said Wedo. “The program has built a strong tradition, and I am honored and grateful to be joining the family.”
Rindge will be the first permanent NCAA head coaching stop for Wedo, though she did spend a year as the head coach at NAIA William Woods University in 2005-06. Most recently, Wedo has spent the previous six seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator under 400-game winner Ed Swanson at Sacred Heart (2010-13) and William & Mary (2013-16). While a member of Swanson’s staff at William & Mary, Wedo helped guide the Tribe to a Women’s Basketball Invitational appearance in 2014-15, the program’s first-ever postseason tournament appearance. In addition, the team’s 15-win seasons in 2014-15 and 2015-16 marked the fourth-most wins in program history.
“As the newest Raven, I looked into the bird’s pedigree and found the mascot to be quite symbolic,” Wedo continued. “Ravens are adaptable, intelligent, and show empathy for each other. These qualities are embedded in the values of the University and are ones I will continue to instill in our student-athletes.”
Prior to William & Mary, Wedo assisted Swanson during the final three years of his 23-year tenure at Sacred Heart. With Wedo’s assistance, the Pioneers made postseason appearances in each of her three seasons with the program, including Northeast Conference regular season and tournament titles, leading to an NCAA Tournament berth in 2011-12, as well as a Women’s National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) selection in 2012-13. While working with the post players at Sacred Heart, she helped mentor Callan Taylor, who earned Northeast Conference Player of the Year honors in 2011-12. Wedo also served as an academic coordinator for the Pioneers, helping to produce two CoSIDA Academic All-District student-athletes.
“I am extremely pleased to welcome coach Wedo to the Franklin Pierce University Athletic Department,” said Kirsh. “I believe she comes to us with excellent credentials and experience, having been mentored by my friend and colleague, Ed Swanson.”
Prior to connecting with Swanson at Sacred Heart, Wedo spent four seasons on the staff of Tammy Smith at Lafayette. While with the Leopards, she helped the team to its first Patriot League title game appearance in 13 years in 2009, with the 2008-09 season culminating in the program’s first-ever selection to the WNIT.
“I would like to express my gratitude to President Andy Card, Athletic Director Bruce Kirsh, Associate Athletic Director Dan Blair and the entire search committee for offering me this opportunity,” Wedo added. “I look forward to working with this talented group of young women and a supportive administration.”
Wedo got her coaching start as a graduate assistant at East Stroudsburg in 2003-04, before serving as assistant coach at University of California, San Diego during the 2004-05 season. She served several months as interim head coach at UCSD during a coaching transition after the season, before moving on to spend one season as head coach at William Woods.
Wedo is a 2003 graduate of University of San Diego, with a degree in anthropology, and earned her master’s degree in sport management from East Stroudsburg in 2006. She was named Graduate Assistant of the Year by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association in 2004, while at East Stroudsburg. Wedo will officially join the staff at Franklin Pierce on May 2 and will embark on her debut season with the crimson and grey in November.
http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/sports/wbkb/2015-16/releases/042116WBBcoach
Photo Courtesy FPC Athletics
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