University of Minnesota Athletics
Melissa McFerrin's Joins Gopher Women's Basketball Coaching Staff
6/18/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
McFerrin returns to the collegiate game after five years of experience in the WNBA ranks. She served as an assistant coach with the Mystics for the 1999 season, before accepting the position of general manager in April of 2000. Previously, McFerrin spent two seasons with the New York Liberty, including the 1997 campaign in which the Liberty were the WNBA runners-up.
"I am very excited to have Melissa on board," said Borton. "Having coached in the Big Ten and in the WNBA, Melissa brings a variety of experiences and great knowledge of the game to this program. I'm extremely happy with how our coaching staff is falling into place."
McFerrin's Big Ten ties come from a stint as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Ohio State from 1990 to 1997. During McFerrin's stay in Columbus, the Buckeyes were the national runners-up and Big Ten champions in 1993 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 1996. Her 1992 recruiting class, which included current WNBA and Minnesota Lynx all-star Katie Smith, was tabbed the top-rated class in the nation.
McFerrin also spent six years as an assistant coach at Central Michigan from 1984-90, during which time she earned a master's degree in physical education in 1988. She also spent one season at Wayland Baptist as a graduate assistant coach.
A 1983 graduate of Missouri, McFerrin was a four-year letterwinner for the Tigers. She helped Missouri to the 1983 Big Eight title and to NCAA Tournament appearances in 1982 and 1983. As a senior, McFerrin was honored as the Big Eight Scholar-Athlete and later graduated Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in secondary education. She was also an All- Big Eight Honorable Mention selection in 1983.
A native of Cassville, Mo., McFarrin is a member of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association and previously served on the USA Basketball National Team selection committee.
