Sometimes continuity is important. In 1996, Terri Mitchell was promoted from assistant coach to head women's basketball coach. Today, in order to replace Mitchell, Marquette has announced that they have hired one of Mitchell's former players and current Miami (FL) assistant coach Carolyn Kieger.

Kieger was a four year starter for the Golden Eagles from 2002 through 2006. She became the program's all time assists leader along the way and is the only player in program history to record 1,200 points, 400 rebounds, and 600 assists. Marquette went 78-47 with Kieger running the show on the floor, making one NCAA appearance and three WNIT appearance, including a trip to the 2006 WNIT championship game.

Kieger got her start in coaching immediately after graduating as the coordinator of basketball operations for the Hurricanes before returning to Milwaukee as Director of Operations for one season. She then returned to Miami as an assistant coach and has been there since then. Miami has posted a record of 126-68 in Kieger's six seasons as an assistant, including three NCAA tournament appearances and two WNIT trips, including one spot in the WNIT final. According to the official MU release, Kieger's focus in Florida was on Miami's guards, including coaching Shenise Johnson, the 2011 ACC Player of the Year, and Riquna Williams, the ACC's leading scorer in 2010-11.

Welcome back, Coach Kieger!