May 19, 2006
Eagles add Irwin to women's basketball coaching staff
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana women's basketball team announced that former USI standout Michelle Irwin is joining the coaching staff in 2006-07. Irwin replaces former Assistant Coach Casey Nations, who left USI to pursue other career opportunities. She will assist in all aspects of the USI women's basketball program.
Irwin comes to USI from Ashland University, where she was a graduate assistant since 2004. She helped the Ashland Eagles to an NCAA II Tournament appearance, two Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference South Division titles, and two 20-win seasons.
Prior to Ashland, Irwin got her coaching start at St. Catharine College during the 2003-04 season. She helped in recruiting, player development, and scouting reports while at SCC.
Irwin played for USI Head Coach Rick Stein from 1999-02 and was part of the Screaming Eagles back-to-back GLVC Tournament championship teams. USI amassed a 70-22 mark, 43-17 in the GLVC during Irwin's three seasons in a USI uniform. The Eagles also appeared in the NCAA II Tournament twice.
"We are excited to have Michelle coming back to USI as part of our coaching staff," Stein said. "Michelle had great success as a player for us and will bring the same enthusiasm as an assistant coach. With her coaching experience and knowledge of the GLVC and the Great Lakes Region, Michelle has already hit the ground running."
The Louisville, Kentucky, native averaged 5.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game for the Eagles, including a career-best 7.9 points and 5.5 rebounds during USI's NCAA II Elite Eight run in 2000-01.
Irwin got a bachelor's degree in marketing with a minor in international business from the University of Louisville in 2004. She graduated with a master's degree in sports sciences from Ashland in December of 2005.
Dan McDonnell,
USI Sports Information
