By Juan Herrera

Earlier this month Maryland women’s basketball head coach Brenda Frese lost two long-time assistant coaches from her 2014-15 Big Ten Conference Championship winning coaching staff. In early April, former assistant coach Tina Langley announced that she would be leaving Maryland to accept the head coaching position at Rice University in Texas. Marlin Chinn later announced that he would also be leaving Maryland for a coaching position at Florida International University.

With the success that Brenda Frese has had with Maryland’s women’s basketball program, it really comes as no surprise that these vacancies would be filled immediately. Within two weeks, Frese announced the hiring of both Bryce McKey and Bett Shelby.

Bryce McKey comes to Maryland after three seasons as an assistant coach with Xavier University. During McKey’s time at Xavier, the women’s program went 13-16 in 2012-13 followed by an 8-23 season and finally an 18-15 season this past year. Prior to his time with Xavier, McKey was also the associate head coach for three seasons at Hathaway Brown High School in Shaker Heights, Ohio, from 2008-11. From 2009-11, McKey helped lead the team to three consecutive Division II Ohio State Championships, the first three state championships in the school’s history. McKey explained his excitement in joining the Lady Terrapins.

“I have always had a great deal of respect for the Maryland basketball program and can’t wait to be a part of such an excellent tradition,” McKey said. “It’s an honor to have this opportunity and I’m eager to get on campus to begin working with the team.”

Bett Shelby comes to College Park from Virginia Tech where she was an assistant coach. Shelby helped lead the Hokies to two wins at the ACC Tournament for the first time in the school’s history. Shelby joined Virginia Tech after a two-season tenure as an assistant coach with Seton Hall where she played a major role in various areas including recruiting and coaching the guards. During the 2012-13 season, Shelby helped lead Seton Hall to the most school wins since 2008-09 as well as the most Big East wins since the 2006-07 season. Shelby also helped lead the team to its first Big East Tournament win since the 2008-09 season. Shelby explained her excitement in being able to work with Coach Frese.

“I am humbled, thrilled, and honored to be a part of Coach Frese’s program at Maryland,” Shelby said. “I am very appreciative and being part of her staff is something I have always dreamed about. This is truly the opportunity of a lifetime.”

With the hiring of these two new assistant coaches, Coach Frese will not have to worry about their lack of experience, considering that these two know what it takes to run a winning program. Shelby and Mckey are both experienced coaches that will be looking to help lead Maryland to a national championship. Despite the rough lose to the University of Connecticut in the Final Four; Coach Frese is hoping to have a great season with these two new additions to the coaching staff.