Women’s assistant basketball coaches promoted

September 13, 2011 | News, UToday
By Brian DeBenedictis



Perry

Perry

Toledo Women’s Basketball Assistant Coaches Nitra Perry and Todd Mitmesser have both been promoted to associate head coach.

“Not many coaching staffs in the country have two associate head coaches, but I felt it was appropriate to award both of them considering the impact they have had on our program,” said Head Basketball Coach Tricia Cullop, the 2010-11 Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year. “Nitra and Todd are both extremely talented people who have played an integral part in the success we have enjoyed over the last three seasons. I feel very fortunate and blessed to be working with such a strong staff and thrilled to have maintained our continuity.”

During Perry’s and Mitmesser’s three years in Toledo, the Midnight Blue and Gold has amassed an impressive 72-30 overall record and a 37-11 mark in the conference.

Last season, the duo helped mentor the Rockets to a school-record 29 victories and become the first MAC basketball program to capture a national postseason tournament. UT’s historic WNIT run was capped off by an eight-point triumph over USC in the championship game before a school and conference women’s basketball record 7,301 fans.

Mitmesser

Mitmesser

Toledo also claimed an outright MAC regular-season championship for the first time in a decade with a 14-2 ledger, as well as successfully defended its MAC West Division title.

Under Perry’s guidance of working with the perimeter players, guard Naama Shafir has earned All-MAC honors on three occasions (first team in 2010-11, second team in 2009-10, honorable mention in 2008-09). Perry also was instrumental in signing a 2010-11 recruiting class that ranked best in the MAC, according to the Collegiate Girls Basketball Report.

“I’m excited and honored that Coach Cullop and the administration have expressed their confidence in my ability by rewarding me with this promotion,” Perry said.

Under Mitmesser’s guidance of working with the post players, a pair of Rocket players have made All-MAC honors on four occasions — Tanika Mays (first team in 2009-10, second team in 2008-09) and Melissa Goodall (third team in 2010-11, honorable mention in 2009-10).

“I’m very excited and humbled to be serving Coach Cullop and The University of Toledo in this new capacity,” Mitmesser said. “We’re looking forward to working even harder to continue the tradition of excellence here at UT.”

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