University of Maine women’s basketball interim head coach Amy Vachon is pleased to announce the hiring of Courtney Anderson and Garett Sherman as assistant coaches on her staff. In addition, Jhasmin Player has been promoted to an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator role.
Anderson returns to her alma mater after spending coaching stints at Presbyterian College and the University of New Hampshire.
“I am thrilled that Coach Vachon gave me the opportunity to come back and help coach this incredible group of young women,” Anderson said. “UMaine holds a special place in my heart and I can’t wait to rejoin the amazing athletic staff and fans of Black Bear Nation. I know the rich history of UMaine Women’s Basketball and I am ready to get to work with the staff and players.”
Anderson, who competed for the University of Maine women’s basketball team from 2011-15, spent the 2015-16 season as the Director of Basketball Operations at New Hampshire before stepping into an acting assistant coaching role. Following her time at New Hampshire, Anderson moved on to Presbyterian where she served the 2016-17 season as an assistant coach. While as a student-athlete at UMaine, Anderson devoted numerous hours to working camps where she helped develop and mentor local camp attendees. In 2015, Anderson was selected to take part in the Women’s Basketball Coaching Associations’ “So You Want to be a Coach” program. Anderson earned her Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education from UMaine in the spring of 2015.
“I am very happy to welcome back Courtney Anderson to UMaine as an assistant basketball coach,” Vachon said. “As a player, Courtney epitomized what a student-athlete should be and had an outstanding career as a Black Bear. Courtney understands our culture and what it is like to represent UMaine on and off the court. Courtney was a ‘coach’ on the floor and so it should come as no surprise that she has turned into a great collegiate coach. Our program, players and University are extremely fortunate that Courtney is returning to her alma mater.”
Sherman has spent each of the last 11 years as a coach at the junior college level. Most recently, Sherman spent three years as the head women’s basketball coach at Western Wyoming Community College where he was named the Region IX North Coach of the Year following the 2016-17 season.
“I’m ecstatic about joining Coach Vachon’s staff this year,” Sherman said. “I’m very thankful for the opportunity and look forward to meeting everyone on campus and in the community.”
In just three season’s at the helm of Western Wyoming, Sherman helped guide the team from a seven win season to a 24-6 mark and a Region IX North Regular Season Championship. Prior to his time at Western Wyoming, Sherman spent a year as the assistant men’s coach at Gordon State College before being promoted to the head role at Gordon State. Before moving to the men’s ranks at Gordon State, Sherman served as the head women’s coach for the Highlanders.
Sherman was the head coach at Allegany College of Maryland from 2008-12, earning an overall record of 103-21 and was a two-time Maryland Junior College (JUCO) Coach of the Year award winner (2009 & 2011). In both 2009 and 2011, Sherman guided his team to Maryland JUCO State Championships, earning a spot in the National Tournament both seasons. His 2009 team tied the school-record with 29 wins before his 2011 squad broke the mark with a 30 win season. From 2008-12, his team was ranked nationally in the Top-20. While at Allegany, Sherman mentored three All-Americans, 10 All-Maryland JUCO Players and eight All-Region players. Prior to his time as the head women’s coach at Allegany, Sherman spent five seasons as an assistant coach on the Allegany men’s staff.
“I am pleased to announce the addition of Garett Sherman as an assistant coach,” Vachon added. “Garett comes to UMaine after a very successful stint as the head coach at Western Wyoming Community College. Garett has proven himself to be a fantastic recruiter and an extremely hard worker during his time at WWCC and Allegany. Garett’s experience as a head coach speaks for itself. Wherever Garett has gone, he has been successful. I can’t express enough how happy I am that Garett and his beautiful family are joining our program.”
Player, who stepped in as an acting assistant coach on the UMaine staff in January of 2017, has now officially been appointed to an assistant coaching and recruiting coordinator role with the program.
“I cannot express how fortunate the University of Maine Women’s Basketball program is to have Jhasmin Player as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator,” Vachon stated. “Jhasmin returned to UMaine last year and made an immediate connection with our players. She was here six years ago when Coach Barron began rebuilding this program and she was an integral part of the turn around. Her experiences as a player at Baylor and professionally, in addition to her work ethic and character, make Jhasmin a perfect fit at UMaine.”
Player, who focused on guard development during the 2016-17 season with the Black Bears, returned for her second stint on the Black Bears’ staff when she accepted a role of Director of Player Development and Community Relations in June of 2016. Player, who served as an assistant with the Black Bears from 2011-13, originally left UMaine to pursue a professional career overseas. During her second professional basketball stint, Player competed in Poland, Portugal and Spain. A 2009 graduate of Baylor University, Player was a four-year member of the Baylor women’s basketball team, earning captain honors for her junior and senior seasons. While with the Bears, Player guided the team to four NCAA Tournament appearances and a 2009 Big 12 Tournament Championship.
Tagged with: DI Staff Changes
