Washington head coach Mike Neighbors announced the hiring of Morgan Valley as an assistant coach. Valley comes to the Huskies from Virginia Tech where she served in the same capacity. Valley was also a standout player at Connecticut where she won three NCAA titles.
“We challenge our players on a daily basis to surround themselves with ‘championship people’,” said Neighbors.” We did just that with the addition of Morgan Valley to our program today. I have racked my brain trying to think of another assistant coach in the game that was a two-time high school All-American and won three NCAA Championships.”
Valley began coaching immediately after completing her eligibility, serving as a student assistant at UConn under Geno Auriemma. She then moved on to Holy Cross, Towson, New Hampshire, UMass and most recently Virginia Tech, working her way up from a graduate assistant to a full-time coach.
“I am beyond excited to be joining the University of Washington women’s basketball program,” said Valley. “Coach Neighbors and his staff have built something very special, and I am honored to be a part of the rich Husky tradition.”
Valley played for some of the best teams in NCAA women’s basketball history, winning a then-record 70-straight games at UConn to go with the three national titles. A guard for the Huskies from 2000 to 2004, Valley was a BIG EAST All-Star in 2001 and finished her career by helping UConn to a 139-8 record.
Known for her intelligence, leadership and hard work on the court, the transition to the sideline was a natural for Valley following her playing career.
“Morgan has worked tirelessly from a graduate assistant to every chair as a full time assistant at five Universities to break the stigma that great players can’t become great coaches,” said Neighbors. “Her experiences and relationships that she has developed in her 16 years in the game will be unique for our current and future student-athletes to learn from.”
Valley has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Connecticut.
“To bring a seasoned coach like Morgan speaks loudly to the commitment the University of Washington and our athletic department has made to women’s basketball,” said Neighbors. “Help us in welcoming the newest Dawg to the Pack.”
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