Western Carolina Women’s Basketball Head Coach Stephanie McCormick today announced the addition of Josh Keys to the Catamount coaching staff replacing former WCU assistant coach Safiya Grant who left to pursue other interests.
“Josh comes to us highly recommended with a lot of experience in the profession,” McCormick said. “He has seen success on the NCAA Division I level in every aspect from team benchmark seasons to recruiting.”
“I am honored and blessed to be joining Coach McCormick and her staff in the task of rebuilding the winning tradition of Western Carolina University women’s basketball,” Keys admits. “When I first became aware of the possibility of joining the staff, it was no different to me than any other opportunity. But after speaking at length with Coach McCormick about her values, I grew excited at the potential to align my core values with hers as a leader of women. Athletics is a powerful agent for positive impact in the lives of young people, and Coach McCormick’s desire to empower women through basketball aligns perfectly with my personal objectives.”
Keys comes to Western Carolina from Mount St. Mary’s where he spent five seasons as an assistant coach. He made an immediate impact upon his arrival, helping lead the Mount to the NEC Semifinals in his first two seasons. After posting a 15-16 record in year one in 2012-13, the Mountaineers put together their first winning season since 2000-01 with a 19-14 record in 2013-14. The year was also highlighted by the Mount’s first trip to the WNIT, marking the third postseason appearance in the program’s Division I history.
While at the Mount, Keys was involved in all aspects of the program, working closely with the post players and serving as the team’s recruiting coordinator.
Prior to arriving at Mount St. Mary’s, Keys served as an assistant at Stetson University in the 2011-12 season helping guide the Hatters to a school-record 23 wins.
Before arriving at Stetson, Keys worked as an assistant coach at College of Charleston and was on the sidelines during Western Carolina’s heroic and historic 2009 SoCon Tournament title when the Catamounts knocked off the Cougars 101-87 in three overtimes. On a side note, McCormick was an assistant for Western Carolina in the game.
“Josh is a lifetime learner as well as a great teacher of the game,” McCormick said. “I’m excited to welcome Josh, his wife Christy and their beautiful children to our Catamount family.”
A 2007 graduate of Liberty, Keys will be joined in Cullowhee by his wife Christy and two children, Melora and David.
Photo Courtesy Western Carolina Athletics
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