Carolyn Kieger Named Penn State Women’s Basketball Head Coach

Carolyn Kieger is the next head coach of the Penn State women’s basketball program, the university announced on Wednesday evening.

A 2019 Naismith Women’s Coach of the Year Award semifinalist, Keiger has been head coach at Marquette for the past five years and is considered a rising star among women’s basketball coaches. She guided the Golden Eagles to a 99-64 record during her tenure and NCAA Tournament appearances each of the past three years.

Kieger’s employment contract is subject to approval by the Penn State Board of Trustees Committee on Compensation, which is scheduled to meet late Thursday afternoon. 

‘We are thrilled to have Carolyn Kieger joining the Penn State family as the leader of our women’s basketball program,’ said Penn State Athletic Director Sandy Barbour said. ‘Carolyn has rapidly established herself as one of the nation’s premier head coaches… We are excited about the expertise, passion, compassion, leadership and enthusiasm Carolyn will bring to our program and its students, and to her engagement with recruits, our Lady Lion alumni and fans in returning Penn State to a position of competing for championships, with continued academic achievement and community impact.’

Kieger will succeed Coquese Washington, who parted ways with the Lady Lions in March after 12 seasons.

A 2006 Marquette graduate, Kieger comes to Penn State after leading her alma mater, to a pair of Big East regular-season championships and a Big East Tournament Championship over the past three years, during which time the Golden Eagles had a 76-26 record (43-11 in Big East). Marquette advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament each of the past three seasons and the Golden Eagles earned three consecutive tournament berths for the first time in 20 years.

Marquette’s 27-8 record this past season was the best in school history. The Golden Eagles also had the Big East Player of the Year for the past two years, with Allazia Blockton winning in 2017-18 and Natisha Hiedeman in 2018-19.

‘As a competitor, you want to challenge yourself to become your very best and to compete at the highest level and for a chance to win national championships every season,’ Kieger said. ‘I’m thrilled for the next challenge of my career to compete for national championships as a part of the Penn State family, and I am incredibly grateful to President Barron and Sandy Barbour for this opportunity.

‘I’m excited to build upon the Penn State women’s basketball legacy. Penn State has a rich tradition and I look forward to doing my part to enhance that tradition and bring the program back to national prominence. My staff and I will work relentlessly to help our student-athletes become the best people, students and players they can be and through that process we will win at the highest level.’

Prior to taking the helm at Marquette, Kieger spent six seasons as an assistant coach at Miami (Fla.) As a player at Marquette from 2002-06, she recorded 1,277 career points and 694 assists and was a three-time All-Conference selection

Carolyn Kieger Year-By-Year

 
As a player for Marquette (2002-03 through 2005-06): Scored 1,277 career points, 694 assists, three-time All-Conference pick
Head Coaching Record: 99-64