South Carolina assistant Nikki McCray-Penson named head coach of Old Dominion

Old Dominion announced the hiring of South Carolina assistant Nikki McCray-Penson as the program’s seventh head coach Wednesday. The former WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist helped South Carolina become a national power under head coach Dawn Staley. She replaces Karen Barefoot who resigned earlier this month to take the head coaching job at UNC Wilmington.

“I could not be more excited to join the Old Dominion program, its tradition, its people and its fan base,” said McCray-Penson. “There is so much opportunity to bring the tradition of winning back to ODU because of the investment by the University’s leadership and the fan base. I felt it the minute I stepped on campus and I can’t wait to get to Norfolk and begin the process of shaping this program.”

McCray-Penson, who is also a breast cancer survivor, was a three-time WNBA All-Star during her eight-year career in the league. The Tennessee graduate also had great success as a Lady Vol under the late Pat Summitt. She was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.

“Blessings come in different forms, but working with Nikki for the last nine years has been life fulfilling,” said Staley. “ODU’s past, present and future players and the Lady Monarch community have gotten a gem of a person and head coach.”