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team fell just short of making the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history, turned out to be Kieger's last game on the Marquette sideline. Two weeks earlier, Penn State had parted ways with Coquese Washington and announced that a na- tional search was under way for her suc- cessor. The search team "talked to hundreds of people in the women's bas- ketball world and in the college athletics space," athletic director Sandy Barbour said. Those people, Barbour said, over- whelmingly pointed to Kieger as a candi- date who possessed all the qualities Penn State was seeking. The job had come open after a disap- pointing five-year stretch under Wash- ington in which the Lady Lions put to- gether a combined 67-88 record. They enjoyed only one winning season in that span and did not make the NCAA tourna- ment. Their current five-year NCAA tourney drought is tied for the longest in school history. In announcing Washing- ton's exit, Barbour explained that "our history and tradition say that we should expect more, that we can do better." Barbour revisited that history at Kieger's introduction. Before welcoming her to the stage, Barbour ticked off a list of the program's accomplishments: 948 wins all-time, 10 Big Ten champi- onships, 25 NCAA tournament appear- ances, 13 Sweet 16 appearances, one Final Four. She described them as a "standard of excellence that has been established and is expected in this proud community." To Kieger, the program's track record of competing at a high level was one of the enticements. "You coach to win national championships," she said. "What at- tracted me to Penn State was the un- matched commitment from the university to develop better people and better student-athletes. The commit- ment that Sandy Barbour and Penn State have made to building an elite women's basketball program is second to none." But she also asked for patience as she and her staff work to implement the fast- "It's difficult to express how thankful we are for not only what Carolyn did for our women's basketball pro- gram and athletics department, but the entire university. She has been a tremendous ambassador for the Mar- quette family since her time as a student-athlete here and we wish her all the best as she takes the next step in her career." BILL SCHOLL MARQUETTE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR "Penn State and Sandy Barbour made the most amazing hire. In Carolyn Kieger, they found a brilliant mind, a 7ercely competitive spirit and a woman of impeccable integrity. The State College community will fall in love with Carolyn's pas- sion and will admire how deeply she cares about her players. Having been blessed to work with both Sandy and Carolyn in my career, I have seen 7rsthand their incredible leadership skills. This is an incredible day for PSU women's basket- ball." KATIE MEIER MIAMI (FLA.) WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH "Carolyn Kieger brings an exciting style of play and is prepared to battle the great coaching in the Big Ten. She will hold her players accountable to an up-tempo pace that will stir up the championship pedigree at Penn State. Congrats to Penn State for hiring a young coach with an excellent work ethic, experience as a head coach, and the determination to build winners on and off the court." DEBBIE ANTONELLI CBS/ESPN BASKETBALL ANALYST "Carolyn Kieger was a great addition to the Big East. She brought energy and passion along with her own highly suc- cessful coaching and recruiting ability. Carolyn's competi- tiveness within the Big East helped all of her fellow coaches in the conference rise to a higher level. The DePaul-Mar- quette rivalry has always been one of the best rivalries in college basketball, and Carolyn helped drive that rivalry to another level. The Big East will surely miss Carolyn Kie- ger." DOUG BRUNO DEPAUL WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH "I feel fortunate to have crossed paths with Carolyn. She is sharp, talented and driven. My lasting impression from covering her at Marquette was that there was no contain- ing her intensity, energy and passion for ball – it's conta- gious! A master motivator and supremely respected, Carolyn served as an incredible ambassador for our shared alma mater. She has graduated from the 'up and comer' distinction to a bona 7de winner. I'm thrilled for her con- tinued growth and success." JEN LADA ESPN REPORTER "Driven and competitive. That's what stands out to me in covering Carolyn Kieger for the last four years in the Big East. No goal is too big to achieve for her program. No place or opponent is o8-limits for her teams to play against. Some of the best championship Lady Lion teams have played with a fast, high-scoring brand of basketball. That excitement will be back in State College. Penn State and the Big Ten Confer- ence are lucky to land one of the top, championship coaches in the country." LISA BYINGTON BTN/ESPN/FS1 REPORTER W H A T T H E Y ' R E S A Y I N G A B O U T C A R O L Y N K I E G E R

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