Seton Hall women’s basketball Head Coach Anthony Bozzella announced on Monday several staff changes including the promotion of current assistant coach Lauren DeFalco to Associate Head Coach.
DeFalco came to Seton Hall with Bozzella’s hiring prior to the start of the 2013-14 season. She has been a member of his staff for the last 11 years, which includes their last three seasons at her alma mater, Iona College. Named to the WBCA’s “30 under 30” list in 2017, she has been the Pirates’ lead assistant since her arrival and took over head coaching duties last season when Bozzella was recovering from COVID-19.
DeFalco has been instrumental in developing high-caliber guards during her time, such as Shakena Richardson, Seton Hall’s first WNBA draft pick, Pirate Hall of Famer Ka-Deidre Simmons, BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year Daisha Simmons, and most recently, 2021 BIG EAST Most Improved Player Lauren Park-Lane.
“I’m so incredibly happy to be able to afford Lauren this opportunity,” Bozzella said. “She has been an integral part of our program’s success over the years and has earned every bit of this promotion.”
Assistant Coach Marissa Flagg is also seeing her position elevated. The five-year assistant coach will now be Assistant Coach and Director of International / Junior College Recruiting. An important part of the Pirates’ recruiting process since joining The Hall, she will now focus on international efforts and student-athletes looking to transfer from two-year statewide institutions. Off the recruiting trail, Flagg has done a little of everything for the program behind-the-scenes and has played in integral role in the player development process.
“Marissa has proved more than capable to take on these enhanced responsibilities,” Bozzella said. “Her hard work and dedication to her craft has been evident since the days I coached her at Iona.”
Both DeFalco and Flagg were student-athletes for Bozzella at Iona College before beginning their coaching careers.
Bozzella also named a pair of Coordinators of Basketball Operations, Andrew Cates and Kristie Guttridge. Cates is no stranger the Pirate program having graduated from Seton Hall in 2020 after serving four years as a team manager. Guttridge was a team manager at James Madison University and will now pursue her MBA in Sports Management at Seton Hall.
Last month, Bozzella began the staff additions with the announcement that former standout player Shakena Richardson was returning to serve as his new Director of Basketball Operations.
Bozzella of course, still has Assistant Coach Jose Rebimbas and Director of Player Development Pete Cinella on staff. Their steady presence provides significant knowledge and experience with over 400 wins each as a head coach in their respective careers.
“We’ve assembled a really strong staff for 2021-22 and beyond,” Bozzella said. “There are decades of experience and success here and I know they will put our student-athletes in the best position possible to succeed both on and off the court. This truly is one of the best staffs in the country.”
