Yvonne Sanchez

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan women's basketball head coach Kim Barnes Arico announced Monday (July 2) the addition of former New Mexico head coach Yvonne Sanchez as an assistant coach for the Wolverines.

"When filling this assistant coaching position, I thought it was really important to bring in someone with a lot of experience -- whether that was as a head coach or an assistant coach," Barnes Arico said. "Yvonne brings a ton of both with her to Michigan. She is well-respected amongst her peers as well as recruits. I think she has an outstanding personality and connects well with people all over the country.

"She will bring another dimension in all aspects of our program, from recruiting to working with our point guards. I had an opportunity to work with her about 15 years ago on the All-America committee and have followed her career ever since. They had a ton of success at New Mexico during her time there, reaching a Sweet 16, growing such a large fan base, and recruiting some great players. We are excited to have her join us in Ann Arbor."

"I am excited and honored to be able to work at a phenomenal place like the University of Michigan," Sanchez said. "Kim and her staff have done an incredible job in Ann Arbor, their success is on the rise, and I am looking forward to working with such an incredible team of staff and players."

Sanchez was on staff at the University of New Mexico from 2000-2016, spending the last five seasons of her tenure as head coach. She amassed 77 victories as head coach and was named the 2014-15 Mountain West Coach of the Year after winning a school-record 14 conference games. During her time as an assistant coach (2000-08) and associate head coach (2008-11), the Lobos won two Mountain West regular-season titles and five conference tournament crowns and made seven NCAA Tournament appearances. New Mexico won 239 games from 2000-2011, highlighted by the program's only NCAA Sweet 16 appearance, in 2003.

Prior to her time in Albuquerque, Sanchez served as an assistant coach at New Mexico State (1993-99) and San Diego State (1999-2000). Sanchez graduated with a degree in psychology from U.S. International University in San Diego, where she was a four-year letterwinner. A native New Mexican, Sanchez led Eldorado High School to a state-record 74 consecutive wins and two 4A titles before earning 4A Player of the Year honors by the Albuquerque Journal.