One of the most recognizable names and faces in college women’s basketball in the Philadelphia area announced her retirement from coaching Tuesday afternoon as Deirdre Kane stepped down as head coach of West Chester University’s program during a press conference inside the Earl F. Sykes Student Union.
In addition to Kane’s retirement announcement, West Chester University also announced that 10-year assistant coach, and West Chester University alum, Kiera Wooden was promoted to succeed Kane.
"It is a beautiful thing when a career and a passion come together," Kane stated. "Basketball was my childhood passion. Never did I dream it would become a career. Thank you Title IX for enabling that to happen. I am grateful to West Chester University for hiring me as their first full-time women’s basketball coach. This university and this town are both a wonderful place to spend a lifetime."
Kane, 59, was hired to succeed Marcia Brumbach in September 1987, and 27 years later, she leaves as the program’s all-time winningest basketball coach with 447 victories against just 310 losses and a .590 winning percentage. She walks away from the game 11 wins shy of 500 for her career – something only 23 other Division II coaches of women’s basketball have accomplished. She retires tied for 28th on the NCAA all-time wins list in Division II.
Her career record of 489-344 speaks for itself. Her 447 wins while at West Chester University are second only to Edinboro’s Stan Swank among PSAC basketball coaches in the history of the league. She posted an all-time conference record of 234-119 for a career conference winning percentage of .663 and finished below fourth place in the league standings only four times in 27 years. Kane endured a losing season just six times over that span and only four times in conference play.
"I am sad to see such a great career here at West Chester come to an end, but happy that Deirdre is moving on into a new phase of her life and wish her all the best. I will personally miss her," Dr. Edward M. Matejkovic, Director of Athletics at WCU, said.
"She has been a leader on our staff, in the state system and even nationally, and that is hard to replace. She should be very proud of what she was able to accomplish, and I am thankful for our relationship over these many years."
A member of three halls of fame, a five-time conference coach of the year and three-time regional coach of the year and recipient of the prestigious Carol Eckman Award, Kane has been a trailblazer in the game of women’s basketball from the time that she became the first female at her alma mater of Dayton University to accept an athletic scholarship to when she helped negotiate the first union contract for all coaches across all sports in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
"It doesn’t matter where you coach, it matters why you coach," Kane added. "It has always been about the relationships to me.
"Thank you to the many parents who entrusted their daughters to me at such a crucial time in their development. I hope I didn’t disappoint. But most of all, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to every single player, from 1976 at Gloucester Catholic, through Camden Catholic, Salisbury State University, Swarthmore College, The University of Pennsylvania and West Chester University. You are the reason, for the past 38 years, I have had the best job in the world. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
"Lastly, there are two men that not only endured my life as a coach, but embraced it," Kane concluded. "My husband, Tim, and son, Sean, were both proud that I was a coach. Their involvement in and passion about my lifestyle allowed me to vent, cry and celebrate. They enjoyed every victory, swallowed the bitterness of every defeat and shared in the lives of the players right along with me.
"Sean’s wife, Amy, quickly assimilated into our family, sharing in the pride and passion regarding my career. I look forward to the next chapter in our lives together as we welcome Amy & Sean’s son into our family this fall."
Kane guided her charges into the postseason 16 times, including each of her final eight seasons at the helm and 18 of her last 19 years. She won a share of the PSAC Eastern Division title five times and won at least 20 games in a single season seven times, including a school-record 25 victories in 1992. That winter, West Chester won the ECAC Division II Championship with a 66-61 triumph over Philadelphia University. In 2003, West Chester played for the PSAC Championship the only time during Kane’s 27-year tenure, dropping a 58-54 decision to California (Pa.).
Kane has coached one WBCA All-American, a back-to-back PSAC East defensive player of the year, two PSAC East athlete of the year recipients, including two-time winner and the program’s all-time leading scorer Keisha Mack, and four PSAC East rookie of the year honorees. In addition, 35 different Golden Rams were named All-PSAC during Kane’s 27 years on campus. Four of her former pupils are members of West Chester University’s Athletics Hall of Fame.
Kane leaves the profession following 38 very successful seasons at all levels, stemming from high school to all three divisions of college basketball. She has left an indelible mark on the game of women’s basketball and her legacy will be that of a tireless advocate for the promotion and advancement of women’s athletics.
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