Linda Lappe, who served as the head coach at the University of Colorado for the past six seasons, will join USF’s women’s basketball staff as an associate head coach.
“I feel very fortunate to have Linda join the program,” said USF head coach Molly Goodenbour. “She is well-respected across the country for her work ethic, coaching and teaching efficacy along with her skill at player development and attention to detail. She is a consummate professional and her experience at the Pac-12 level will be an asset to our program.”
During Lappe’s time in Boulder, the Buffaloes compiled a (98-69) overall record, made one NCAA Tournament appearance (2013) and three Postseason WNIT showings (2011-12; ’14) from 2010-16. Colorado held a spot in the Associated Press’ national rankings for 25 consecutive weeks from Dec. 12, 2012 to Jan. 13, 2014 and climbed as high as No. 11 in the nation during the 2013-14 season. Her 2015 recruiting class was ranked as the 23rd best in the nation according to ProspectsNation.com while the 2013 class was rated 27th nationally by ESPN’s HoopGurlz.
Among her 105 victories in Boulder were four wins over ranked opponents, including two against top-10 foes. In 2014-15, the Buffaloes pulled off the biggest upset in Pac-12 Tournament history when they knocked off top-seeded and eighth-ranked Oregon State in a quarterfinal matchup.
Lappe also mentored a pair of first team all-conference players, including Brittany Spears, who closed her career as Colorado’s all-time leading scorer and was a second round draft pick (No. 19) overall in the 2011 WNBA Draft and Arielle Roberson, who was named the Pac-12’s Freshman of the Year in 2012-13.
Lappe’s first head coaching position came at Metropolitan State College in Denver, where she guided the Roadrunners to top-three finishes and winning records in the Eastern Division of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in each of her three seasons from 2007-10. She also served as an assistant coach at Drake (2003-06) and Colorado State (2006-07) before landing her first head coaching job at Metro State.
Lappe helped Colorado reach national prominence as a standout guard for the Buffaloes from 1998-2003. A two-year captain and All-Big 12 honorable mention selection, Lappe averaged 7.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 115 career games. She helped the Buffaloes to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 2001-03, including an Elite Eight appearance in 2002 and a spot in the Sweet 16 as a senior in 2003. She was also a three-time first-team Academic All-Big 12 honoree.
A native of Morning Sun, Iowa, Lappe graduated from Winfield-Mount Union High School holding school records for career points (1,987), steals (402) and assists (652). She led the team to a combined 110-3 (.974) record and two Class A state championships during her varsity career.
Tagged with: Associate Head Coach DI
