Converse Athletic Director Jennifer Bell announced the resignation of head basketball coach Dean Walsh on Wednesday, along with plans to begin a national search for the next leader of the Valkyries’ rising basketball program.
“Dean Walsh has built a winning tradition for our Valkyries basketball program that has generated excitement and momentum on campus, within our conference, and in the community,” said Bell. “It has been exciting to see this team grow and achieve unprecedented success. Thanks to Coach Walsh’s leadership, Converse is well positioned to attract a dynamic and highly qualified coach to raise the bar yet again in leading the next chapter for our program.”
Walsh joined the Valkyries in 2015 and ends a record-setting season this year with 11 wins and the program’s best season start of 5-1. As Converse basketball’s all-time winningest coach with 32 wins, he increased wins during three of his four years at the helm. His leadership beyond Converse included serving as a representative for the NCAA Division II male Coaches for Women’s Basketball committee, as chairman of the Southeast Regional Ranking Selection committee, and as lead mentor for the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s Mentor-to-Mentor program. Prior to leading the Valkyries, Walsh was head coach at Carson-Newman for a decade, where he led the Eagles to the Sweet 16 twice. He is a member of the NCAA 300 win club.
“I want to thank Converse for the opportunity to lead this program into unchartered territories,” Walsh said. “Many records have fallen due to the hard work of these athletes who are proud to wear the purple and gold. It is my hope that this trend continues along the path to success.”
Assistant coach Jordan Kyles will serve as interim head coach for the program as Converse searches for the program’s next leader.
http://govalkyries.com/general/2018-19/releases/20190313kq64hl
Tagged with: Converse College DII
