Nancy Darsch
Encyclopedia
Nancy Darsch is an assistant coach for the Seattle Storm
in the Women's National Basketball Association
. She started her professional coaching career in the WNBA's inaugural season (1997) with the New York Liberty
. As the head coach, Darsch led the Liberty to a 17–11 season and the team advanced to the WNBA final against the eventual champion, the Houston Comets
. She had the privilege of coaching the Liberty in the first-ever WNBA game against the LA Sparks. Darsch earned her first professional victory in that game with a 65–51 victory on June 21, 1997. In her two seasons with New York, she compiled a 36–24 record. In 1999, Darsch took over the rein
s for Washington Mystics
. After two seasons at the helm, Darsch became an advance scout for the team. For the past three seasons, she has been with the Minnesota Lynx
as an assistant coach. Darsch's overall WNBA coaching record stands at 57–57 in four seasons.
Darsch began her coaching career as an assistant under Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt
. From 1978 to 1985 Darsch helped lead the Lady Vols
to five Final Four appearances. Darsch became the head coach at Ohio State University
in 1985. In her 12 years at the helm at Ohio State, she led the Buckeyes
to four Big Ten Conference Championships and seven NCAA appearances. In 1993, Darsch led Ohio State to a 24–4 record, a Big Ten Championship and the NCAA final. In the championship game, Ohio State lost to Texas Tech, 84–82. She compiled a record of 234–125 (.652) while at Ohio State.
During her coaching career, Darsch has also been involved with USA Basketball
. She has won two Olympic gold medals as an assistant coach with USA Basketball during the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and the 1996 Olympic Games in Georgia.
A native of Plymouth, Massachusetts, Darsch is a 1973 graduate of Springfield College
. She also earned a master's degree in physical education from the University of Tennessee
.
Seattle Storm
The Seattle Storm is a professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
in the Women's National Basketball Association
Women's National Basketball Association
The Women's National Basketball Association is a women's professional basketball league in the United States. It currently is composed of twelve teams. The league was founded on April 24, 1996 as the women's counterpart to the National Basketball Association...
. She started her professional coaching career in the WNBA's inaugural season (1997) with the New York Liberty
New York Liberty
The New York Liberty is a professional basketball team based in New York City, playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was one of the eight original franchises of the league...
. As the head coach, Darsch led the Liberty to a 17–11 season and the team advanced to the WNBA final against the eventual champion, the Houston Comets
Houston Comets
The Houston Comets were a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Houston, Texas, United States. Formed in 1997, the team was one of the best original eight WNBA teams and won the first four championships of the league's existence. The Comets were the first dynasty of the WNBA and...
. She had the privilege of coaching the Liberty in the first-ever WNBA game against the LA Sparks. Darsch earned her first professional victory in that game with a 65–51 victory on June 21, 1997. In her two seasons with New York, she compiled a 36–24 record. In 1999, Darsch took over the rein
Rein
Reins are items of horse tack, used to direct a horse or other animal used for riding or driving. Reins can be made of leather, nylon, metal, or other materials, and attach to a bridle via either its bit or its noseband.-Use for riding:...
s for Washington Mystics
Washington Mystics
The Washington Mystics is a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., playing in the Eastern Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1998 season. The team is owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment , who also owns the Mystics'...
. After two seasons at the helm, Darsch became an advance scout for the team. For the past three seasons, she has been with the Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx are a professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded prior to the 1999 season...
as an assistant coach. Darsch's overall WNBA coaching record stands at 57–57 in four seasons.
Darsch began her coaching career as an assistant under Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt
Pat Summitt
Patricia "Pat" Head Summitt is an American women's college basketball coach. She is currently the head coach of the Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team. She is the all-time winningest coach in NCAA basketball history of either a men's or women's team in any division...
. From 1978 to 1985 Darsch helped lead the Lady Vols
Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball
The Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball team represents the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee in NCAA women's basketball competition...
to five Final Four appearances. Darsch became the head coach at Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
in 1985. In her 12 years at the helm at Ohio State, she led the Buckeyes
Ohio State Buckeyes women's basketball
The Ohio State women's basketball team represents The Ohio State University and plays its home games in the Value City Arena at the Jerome Schottenstein Center, which they moved into in 1998. Prior to 1998, they played at St. John Arena. They have won 12 Big Ten titles, which is the most in the...
to four Big Ten Conference Championships and seven NCAA appearances. In 1993, Darsch led Ohio State to a 24–4 record, a Big Ten Championship and the NCAA final. In the championship game, Ohio State lost to Texas Tech, 84–82. She compiled a record of 234–125 (.652) while at Ohio State.
During her coaching career, Darsch has also been involved with USA Basketball
USA Basketball
USA Basketball is a non-profit organization and the governing body for basketball in the United States. The organization represents the United States in FIBA and the men's and women's national basketball teams in the United States Olympic Committee...
. She has won two Olympic gold medals as an assistant coach with USA Basketball during the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and the 1996 Olympic Games in Georgia.
A native of Plymouth, Massachusetts, Darsch is a 1973 graduate of Springfield College
Springfield College
Springfield College is a private, coeducational university located in the City of Springfield, Massachusetts. Springfield College is most famous as the site where the sport of basketball was invented...
. She also earned a master's degree in physical education from the University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
.