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Akron coach retires; Longwood, UMass Lowell name new head coaches

By Blake DuDonis

AKRON, OH - JANUARY 10: Akron Zips head coach Jodi Kest disputes a call with an official during the first quarter of the women's college basketball game between the Ball State Cardinals and Akron Zips on January 10, 2018, at the James A. Rhodes Arena in Akron, OH. Ball State defeated Akron 74-61. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
AKRON, OH - JANUARY 10: Akron Zips head coach Jodi Kest disputes a call with an official during the first quarter of the women's college basketball game between the Ball State Cardinals and Akron Zips on January 10, 2018, at the James A. Rhodes Arena in Akron, OH. Ball State defeated Akron 74-61. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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With each day bringing the spring evaluation period for women’s basketball closer, school’s with vacancies for a head coach are starting to fill those spots. Count Longwood and UMass Lowell among those schools who have made decisions on new leaders, but add Akron University as a program now without one.

UMass Lowell official announced that former Boston College assistant coach Tom Garrick as head coach last night. Garrick spent the previous three years at Boston College, following a stint as an assistant at Vanderbilt and a head coach at Rhode Island.

“We are pleased to welcome

Tom Garrick

to the UMass Lowell family as the new head coach of women’s basketball,” commented athletic director Dana Skinner. “I have followed Tom’s career for many years, dating back to his days as an outstanding player who made it to the NBA, and throughout his coaching positions in the A-10, SEC and the ACC. His breadth of experience in Division I and the fact that he is so highly regarded at every stop he’s made in his coaching career made him the choice over a number of outstanding candidates. We are excited to work with Tom as the next coach of the River Hawks.”

While the Longwood hire isn’t official yet, it seems that a deal is done with current Navy assistant Rebecca Tillett to be the leader of the Lancers according to theballoutmedia on Twitter. Navy has gone 81-47 over the four seasons that Tillett has been on staff. She spent one season as an assistant at D2 member Indiana University of Pennsylvania after being a head coach in high school for six years.

The surprising news of the day was the announcement of Akron head coach Jodi Kest’s retirement from the school.  Kest, the all-time winningest coach in Zip history and the longest tenured coach in the MAC, steps away after 12 seasons.

“It has been a blessing to have coached the last 12 years at The University of Akron,” Kest said. “I have had the privilege to coach many wonderful young ladies who have excelled in the classroom, on the basketball court, and in the community. They have taught me more about life than I could have ever taught them.”

“I would like to thank all of the administrators, coaches, players, and friends in the community who have been a part of an amazing journey,” said Kest. “We have accomplished many great memories that I will cherish for a lifetime.”

Kest walks away with 179 wins and the 2019 MAC Coach of the Year award.

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