Varrell Eddie is returning to Purchase College women’s basketball.
The former Panther assistant has been hired as the new head coach of the program, replacing interim skipper James Alfredo, who is stepping down, but will still assist with the transition and remain Purchase’s head golf coach moving forward. Jess Lindsay, Purchase’s assistant coach this season during the program’s midseason change at head coach, will stay on and assist Eddie for the 2016-17 campaign.
“We’re delighted to bring Varrell back on board,” announced Purchase Athletic Director Chris Bisignano. “He did a great job as an assistant coach previously and has grown as a coach since he left us. We’re excited for him to return and rebuild the program.”
Eddie, a Brooklyn native, spent the past two seasons as the head coach at Samuel Gompers High School. He rebuilt the program there, leading the team to a five-win increase within two seasons.
Eddie previously coached at Purchase during the 2012-13 season, when the Panthers reached the Skyline Conference Championship. That season they went 17-11 overall, including 10-4 in the league, falling 40-39 in the conference title game. That team would later play in the ECAC Metro Tournament.
After Purchase, Eddie was an assistant for Grand Street Campus boys’ basketball team. Under his guidance, the program set school records for wins in a season and achieved the highest ranking in program history.
Eddie attended SUNY Cortland, where he coached women’s club basketball for four years. During his time there, Cortland qualified for the national tournament twice.
“I am looking forward to creating a positive, winning culture and program at Purchase,” an elated Eddie said. “Playing college basketball at Purchase is going to be about more than just winning games. It’s about the development of our student-athletes and enriching their entire life experience.”
Eddie has already begun the recruiting process and is excited to get rolling this offseason, with an eye on turning around Purchase’s 3-22 mark in 2015-16.
“It’s great to be back,” said Eddie, who is now situated in his new office and out recruiting in his return to Purchase. “I’ve met with the team and I really can’t wait for October.”
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