Subscribe to RSSWomen’s basketball coach Laurie Kelly departs NAU for head position in Minnesota
NAU women’s basketball coach Laurie Kelly has resigned, having spent nine years at the school, after accepting the head coaching job at Division III school Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn.
Kelly, the longest-tenured coach in program history, compiled a 117-152 record at NAU and led the Lumberjacks to the NCAA tournament in 2006, following a victory in the Big Sky Championship Tournament. However, the Lumberjacks have not finished with a record above .500 since the 2006-07 season.
“I leave NAU with a heavy heart, but am also excited about a new opportunity back in Minnesota. Having all of my family there, this provides me an opportunity to stay in coaching but to also have my children grow up with their relatives around them,” Kelly said to NAU Athletics. “There is a bright future ahead for NAU athletics and I will always be a Lumberjack fan.”
The search for a replacement begins immediately according to Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Lisa Campos.
Kelly’s departure continues the offseason shake up for Lumberjacks’ athletics. Campos was hired to lead the department less than a month ago and new men’s basketball head coach Jack Murphy was hired April 12.
