Coaching search season is officially over at UMass.
The school announced Saturday morning that Eastern Michigan coach Tory Verdi has been hired as the new women’s basketball coach for the Minutewomen. He’ll be introduced at a press conference on Wednesday. Verdi joins new hockey coach Greg Carvel, who was hired earlier this month.
Like Carvel, Verdi has New England roots, experience coaching professionally and a resume that includes rebuilding a program.
Verdi, a New Britain, Connecticut native and 1996 graduate of Keene State in New Hampshire was 72-61 in four seasons at Eastern Michigan. The Eagles advanced to the Women’s NIT each of the past two seasons. Before being hired at EMU, he was an assistant at Kansas (2010-12) and Nebraska (2005-10).
“This is a truly exciting time for our women’s basketball program with the addition of Tory Verdi as our head coach,” UMass athletic director Ryan Bamford said in a press release. “Tory has a tremendous track record of success that will be a real asset for our program as we compete for Atlantic 10 championships. His enthusiasm for building a winning culture that promotes success in the classroom, in competition and in the community makes him a great fit for the University of Massachusetts.”
Verdi expressed excitement in the same release.
“I am thrilled to be the head coach at UMass,” Verdi said. “I knew the day that I stepped on campus that the University of Massachusetts was a special place. UMass women’s basketball has all of the elements to build a championship-caliber program and provide an outstanding student-athlete experience. I am excited to take this program to the next level.”
Verdi spent the summers of 2003, 2004 and 2005 working for the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun. He was hired as an assistant at Columbia for the 2004-05 season and briefly served as the Lions’ interim head coach that season.
He began his coaching career as a men’s assistant at Keene (1995-96) while completing his degree. He also coach men at Hartford (1996-97) and Western Connecticut (2001-02) and was head boys basketball coach at Pomperaug High School in Connecticut from 1997-2000.
Verdi is married and has two sons and a daughter.
He’ll replace Sharon Dawley who was 46-133 in six seasons and 12-18 in 2015-16. UMass returns its top three scorers including guards Cierra Dillard and Bria Stallworth.
Verdi is UMass’ first full-time male women’s basketball coach. Jack Leaman filled the role temporarily for the 1986-87 season.
Matt Vautour can be reached at mvautour@gazettenet.com. Get UMass coverage delivered in your Facebook news feed at www.facebook.com/GazetteUMassCoverage